AllEyesOnRafah campaign goes global amid Israel-Gaza conflict”.
As violence escalated between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, social media users worldwide rallied under the hashtag “AllEyesOnRafah.” It referred to dire conditions in Rafah city housing 1.4 million refugees amid continued Israeli offensive.
The slogan gained momentum after a weekend strike in Rafah killed over 40. Criticism against Israeli actions intensified from its allies, too. Several Bollywood stars expressed solidarity with Palestine people on social media.
Originating from a WHO official’s comment, the hashtag called to spotlight Rafah’s evacuation plan. An image depicting tents arranged as “All Eyes On Rafah” went viral within 24 hours of being shared on Instagram as reported by US media.
However, experts questioned the image’s authenticity, suggesting AI generation signs like pattern repetition and unrealistic properties. An associate professor observed that its lack of photorealism indicated it was one of the earliest instances of AI activism pictures.
A counter-campaign also gained traction, criticizing influencers for solely focusing on Israeli military operations while ignoring Hamas’ brutality. Some questioned the lack of posts on 320 women, 100 kidnapped during militants’ surprise attack in southern Israel that began the conflict.
While the hashtag united support globally for Gaza’s plight, debates continue around the complexity of the conflict and addressing both sides’ reported excesses for resolution. Social media remains abuzz with campaigns, even as violence continues unabated on the ground.
