“All Eyes On Rafah”: Unveiling the Origin of the Viral Social Media Slogan

As Israeli troops advance in a ground offensive on the densely populated city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, a campaign with the slogan “All Eyes on Rafah” has gained momentum, especially in Western Europe, Australia, and India. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict among activists and humanitarian groups.

The slogan originated from a statement by Rick Peeperkorn, director of the World Health Organization’s Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who used the phrase “All eyes are on Rafah” in February. This came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an evacuation plan for the city, claiming it to be one of the last strongholds of the militant group Hamas.

The campaign serves as a plea for bystanders not to turn away from the situation in Rafah, where an estimated 1.4 million people seek shelter amid escalating violence. Organizations like Save the Children, Oxfam, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign have echoed the slogan, using it as a rallying cry at protests worldwide.

Numerous Indian celebrities, including actors Varun Dhawan, Aly Goni, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Tripti Dimri, have shared “All Eyes on Rafah” graphics on their Instagram stories. International figures such as Australian cricketer Travis Head, British singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, model Bella Hadid, and actresses Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Susan Sarandon have also voiced support.

The hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah has garnered over 195,000 posts on TikTok, with millions of views, and trended on Instagram. Palestinian American pop singer Zach Matari’s videos featuring the slogan have particularly gained traction, along with content from pro-Palestinian creators like Lubna Alhilo, Liz Kuhn, and Reema Bassoumi.

As the conflict intensifies, the “All Eyes on Rafah” campaign continues to amplify voices and shed light on the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire.