An AI-generated image with the caption “All eyes on Rafah” has gone viral on Instagram, being shared by over 44 million accounts since Monday. The surge in sharing follows a deadly Israeli airstrike on a camp for displaced Palestinians in the Gazan city of Rafah.
The image portrays rows of tents crowded together in a desert landscape, symbolizing the plight of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who sought refuge in Rafah during Israel’s military operation against Hamas.
Celebrities like Chilean-US actor Pedro Pascal and models Bella and Gigi Hadid, of Palestinian descent, along with French football star Ousmane Dembele, have contributed to the image’s widespread dissemination on Instagram.
Additionally, the hashtag #alleyesonrafah has gained attraction on social media platforms, particularly X, amassing nearly one million mentions, as reported by online monitor Visibrain.
The recent Israeli strike on Rafah, which resulted in a devastating fire at the displacement camp, claimed the lives of 45 people and left 249 others injured, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Israeli officials stated that the target was two senior Hamas militants, characterizing the incident as a “tragic accident” under investigation.
The attack on Rafah has sparked international outrage, with over 27.5 million messages discussing the event shared on social media platforms, particularly X, within three days.
The escalation of violence adds to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with casualties mounting on both sides. The Gaza Strip has borne the brunt of the casualties, with at least 36,171 reported deaths, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
