The post in the form of a story template has gone viral, with users sharing a possibly AI-generated image that shows tents in a camp arranged to spell out “All Eyes on Rafah”.
Since it was first uploaded on Tuesday, it has been shared by more than 48 million Instagram users. The post includes celebrities such as Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, actor Aaron Paul, singer Dua Lipa, rapper and actor Kid Cudi, Bollywood star Varun Dhawan and US singer Kehlani.
It aims to draw attention to the situation in Rafah, as Israel’s assault continues. It was first shared after a deadly strike on a refugee camp in Rafah on Monday, just two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt its operations in the southern Gaza city.
The attack hit a camp for displaced people in north-west Rafah, a site that is in a designated humanitarian safe zone, Gaza civil defence and Palestinian authorities said. Women and children were among those killed and several people were also injured.
The idea not only aims to bring into focus what is happening in Gaza but also show support for the Palestinian cause. As more people share the post, more eyes will see it and think of what is happening in Rafah.
The slogan probably originated from a comment by Rik Peeperkorn, director of the World Health Organisation’s Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. “All eyes are on Rafah,” he said back in February, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an evacuation plan for the city ahead of attacks on what he claims are the last Hamas strongholds.
Creative director and activist Alana Hadid, the elder sister of Gigi and Bella Hadid, also shared her thoughts about the post.
“If the only thing you’ve ever done is repost this photo, welcome to the movement,” she wrote. “Now educate yourself. Talk to Palestinians. Join a rally. Listen to videos and teach ins. Get acquainted with the reality on the ground. The history.
“Performative activism is not helpful. Education and sustained activism and action is. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and get acquainted with that feeling. Reposting is not enough any more.”
Another drawing by Egyptian artist Yassin Mohamed, who posts on the Instagram account @YassinDraws, has also been widely shared. It depicts a father holding up a headless child with a flower in place of the child's missing head, referencing a video that went viral showing the aftermath of Israel's attack on the refugee camp. The flower in the place of a head is a motif of the artist.
