Many of you may have seen a photo circulating on social media websites, including Instagram, bearing the phrase “Pay attention to Rafah.” The brutal attack by Israeli forces on Sunday (May 26) in a tent packed with displaced Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza Strip, that killed at least 45 Palestinians and injured over 200, including many children, has been widely condemned by multiple countries and celebrities, including from Bollywood and Hollywood.
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After a new massacre of displaced civilians in Rafah, Gaza, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) posted on Twitter with the caption, “Gaza has become hell on earth. Families continue to search for refuge from the war but nowhere is safe in Gaza. No one is safe. No one is escaping, not civilians or aid workers. We need a #CeasefireNow.”
The attack on Rafah came two days after the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled ordering Israel to halt its attacks on the city.
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The Palestinian Health Ministry said the Israeli airstrikes killed 35 people and wounded scores, mostly children and women. The death toll later rose to 45 in one day. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it killed a Hamas leader and that the attack was based on “precise intelligence” against “legitimate targets under international law.”
About “All Eyes On Rafah”:
The Israeli attack on the Rafah border sparked outrage around the world, with many condemning it and calling for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. On social media platforms, photos of charred bodies and injured displaced people were posted with the text “Pay attention to Rafah.” The phrase began trending, and activists began sharing the images under their handles.
Following the trend, several celebrities including Priyanka Chopra, Varun Dhawan, Aaliyah Bhatt, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Tripti Dimri and Richa Chadha shared the viral image. Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh also shared the viral image. Over 36 million Instagram users have shared Rafa’s story and the number is still growing.
What do you see in the image?
The painting is a replica of the tents and camps at the Rafah border and the words “Focus on Rafah” are inscribed on it to call global concern for the situation in Gaza’s southernmost city, which is home to some 1.5 million people who fled Israeli bombardment.
The image appears to have been created by activists using artificial intelligence (AI). AI expert Mark Owen-Jones said the viral image was generated using AI tools and doesn’t look real.
The slogan that appeared in the viral image, “Focus on Rafah,” was a reference to Rick Pieperkorn, director of the World Health Organization’s office in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who made the comments in February last year after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered plans to evacuate Rafah ahead of the Gaza offensive.
