‘All Eyes on Rafah’ Image Goes Viral, Sparking Pro-Israel Counter-Memes
The slogan “All Eyes on Rafah” has surged across social media after an Israeli airstrike in the Gazan city killed dozens of civilians, sparking global condemnation. This phrase has been a recurring theme in discussions about Israel’s conflict with Hamas, particularly as military actions in Rafah, located along the Gaza-Egypt border, have intensified.
Last Wednesday, the slogan gained traction again, driven by an AI-generated image depicting refugee tents spelling out “All Eyes on Rafah”. This image has been widely circulated, with one version receiving tens of millions of shares on Instagram.
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The origin of the phrase traces back to comments made by Dr, Rik Peeperkorn, head of the World Health Organization’s office for Gaza and the West Bank. Speaking in February as Israeli military operations in southern Gaza escalated, Peeperkorn stated, “All eyes are on Rafah.” Pro-Palestinian and humanitarian groups quickly adopted the slogan to highlight the situation in Gaza, with organizations such as Save the Children, Oxfam, and Jewish Voice for Peace using it to draw attention to the plight of displaced Palestinians. The slogan has also resonated at pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli protests at Western universities.
In response, pro-Israel memes have emerged, including one that questions, “Where were your eyes on October 7,” showing a terrorist abducting a baby meant to represent Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas. Another meme reads, “If your eyes are on Rafah, help us find our hostages.”
Last Sunday’s strike in Rafah, which Israel said targeted Hamas officials while accidentally setting off munitions that Palestinian groups hid among civilians in the “safe zone,” was condemned by international leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the civilian casualties, calling them a “tragic accident.”
