The phrase “All Eyes on Rafah” gained significant attention on social media platforms following Israel’s bombardment of Rafah, a city in war-torn Gaza.
Users widely shared an “AI-generated” graphic with the same phrase to express their condemnation of the killing of more than 40 Palestinian civilians in Rafah.
In response, Israel has countered the social media trend with the phrase “What your eyes fail to see.” The country, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, emphasized that the Palestinian militant group Hamas has taken Israeli men, women, and children as hostages, subjecting them to terrible conditions.
The Israel Foreign Ministry reposted a tweet from the Embassy of the State of Israel in India, which highlighted the plight of 125 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the tunnels of Gaza. The embassy stated that understanding the full story is crucial before making any comments and expressed their determination to ensure the safe return of each and every hostage.
The Israel embassy referred to Hamas’s surprise attacks in parts of Israel on October 7 of the previous year, which led to Israel waging a war against the militant group. According to reports, around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, lost their lives in these attacks. The militants allegedly took 252 hostages, with 121 still remaining in Gaza, including 37 who the army claims are deceased.
The meaning of “All Eyes on Rafah” was explained by Iran’s Embassy in India, stating that it refers to the ongoing genocide in Rafah, Gaza, where over 1.4 million Palestinians are seeking shelter.
Hashtags such as “#AllEyesOnRafah” and “#RafahOnFire” trended on social media after an Israeli strike targeted two Hamas leaders, resulting in a massive fire at a camp for displaced people in Rafah. This attack claimed the lives of at least 45 civilians and left 200 others injured.
Since May 7, reports indicate that Israel has been relentlessly attacking Rafah. The United Nations had previously warned that approximately 1.4 million individuals sought refuge in the city. However, as of Monday, one million people have already fled the area, according to the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Despite an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) instructing Israel to cease its operations in Rafah and withdraw from the enclave, the strikes were initiated on Sunday. The ICJ had explicitly ruled that Israel must immediately halt its military offensive in the Rafah Governorate, as it could potentially lead to the complete or partial destruction of the Palestinian group in Gaza.
Before launching the strikes, the Israeli Defence Forces claimed that a barrage of rockets had been launched from Rafah towards central Israel. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a video message on Tuesday, denying that they had targeted the Rafah tents. An IDF spokesperson stated that the resulting fire was unexpected and unintended, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation on Monday, acknowledging the evacuation of approximately one million civilians from Rafah. He expressed deep regret over an incident that occurred, despite their extensive efforts to avoid harming non-combatants. Netanyahu emphasized that a thorough investigation will be conducted, as it aligns with their policy and longstanding conduct.
Netanyahu also emphasized the consequences of surrendering, stating that it would not result in the safe return of all hostages. He warned that surrendering would grant a significant victory to terrorism, Iran, and the entire axis of evil, all of whom wish harm upon Israel.
