As Israeli troops continue their ground offensive on Rafah in the Gaza Strip, a campaign with the slogan “All Eyes on Rafah” has gained traction, particularly in Western Europe, Australia, and India. This campaign is spearheaded by activists and humanitarian groups aiming to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict in the region.
The slogan “All Eyes on Rafah” originated from a comment by Rick Peeperkorn, director of the World Health Organization’s Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In February, Peeperkorn stated, “All eyes are on Rafah” after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an evacuation plan for the city ahead of planned attacks to eliminate what he described as the last strongholds of Hamas.
This phrase has become a rallying cry for those urging the public not to overlook the situation in Rafah, where an estimated 1.4 million people have sought refuge from the violence in other parts of Gaza. Despite the significant civilian population, Israel’s offensive continues unabated.
Numerous organizations, including Save the Children, Oxfam, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, have adopted the slogan. It has been prominently displayed at protests in cities such as Paris, London, New York City, and Los Angeles.
Celebrities in India, including actors Varun Dhawan, Aly Goni, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Tripti Dimri, posted “All Eyes on Rafah” graphics on Instagram. Other notable supporters include Australian cricket player Travis Head, British singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, model Bella Hadid, and actresses Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Susan Sarandon.
The hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah has garnered significant attention on social media, with over 195,000 posts and millions of views on TikTok. The topic trended on Instagram on Tuesday, with nearly 100,000 posts. Palestinian American pop singer Zach Matari has been a major influencer, with his posts receiving millions of views.
Israel has faced international criticism following a strike on Sunday aimed at a Hamas compound, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians in Rafah. Netanyahu described the civilian deaths as a “tragic accident,” yet assaults continued on Tuesday, The New York Times reported. An airstrike reportedly killed another 21 people in a “humanitarian area” in west Rafah, although the Israeli army denied involvement, Barron’s reported.
The possibility of mass casualties in Rafah has been a concern for months as Israel seeks to eliminate Hamas outposts. In February, Israeli officials identified Rafah as the last significant Hamas stronghold in Gaza and announced plans for attacks. Negotiations for a ceasefire have been ongoing, with delegates from Hamas and Israel meeting in Egypt. Following the attack on Sunday, Hamas announced it would not participate in further truce talks. The Israeli military had previously ordered evacuations in areas near Gaza’s border with Israel ahead of the offensive.
Global leaders, including President Joe Biden, have criticized Israel for targeting Rafah due to the dense civilian population. Biden stated last month that while the U.S. would provide defensive arms to Israel, it would not supply weapons for an attack on Rafah. The International Criminal Court has announced its intention to issue arrest warrants for both Hamas and Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, for alleged war crimes, although it lacks the means to enforce these warrants.
The “All Eyes on Rafah” campaign continues to highlight the human cost of the conflict, urging the international community to focus on the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire.
