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'All eyes on RAFAH' viral image; Genuine or Propaganda?

Amid the ongoing conflict, a picture has been widely circulated on social media platforms including Instagram, X and Facebook which shows tents at a camp arranged to form 'All Eyes on Rafah' urging people to not turn a blind eye to the situation in Gaza's southernmost city. 

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As Israeli troops continue their ground offensive on the densely populated city of Rafah located in the Gaza Strip, a campaign to call for an immediate ceasefire in the region, which has been there for around a month now, has gained momentum, garnering support from parts of western Europe, Australia and India. 

Origin of the phrase 

The phrase 'All eyes on Rafah' is meant to spread awareness about the plummeting ground situation that has been exacerbated because of the Israel-Palestine war. Rafah is the same city where around 1.4 million people are taking shelter after fleeing from the turbulent fighting and bombing by Israel in the Gaza Strip. 

This has possibly originated from a statement of Rick Peeperkorn, the director of the WHO's office in the occupied Palestinian Territories. He had made this comment after an evacuation plan for Rafah was ordered by Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israeli attacks by Israeli Prime Minister that claimed it to be so strong that it would wipe out the militant group Hamas. 

What is depicted in the picture?

Amid the ongoing conflict, a picture has been widely circulated on social media platforms including Instagram, X and Facebook which shows tents at a camp arranged to form 'All Eyes on Rafah' urging people to not turn a blind eye to the situation in Gaza's southernmost city. 

Is the image genuine? 

Some questions revolve around the authenticity of the viral picture. According to Marc Owens Jones, an expert who studies misinformation, the picture does not appear to be real as it has odd shadows and the unnaturally symmetrical arrangement of camps are some points that reflect that the image might be AI-generated. 

Image spreading like wildfire

The image is trending on all social media platforms. Support groups like Save the Children, Oxfam, and Americans for Justice in Palestine have also adopted the slogan. The hashtag is trending on X in India along with Israel. The image has been shared by millions of people on Instagram including celebrities, sports stars and activists. As the world watches the crucial developments unfolding along the Gaza Strip, the call for an immediate ceasefire and stopping of the brutal attack from both sides is amplifying. 

People are demanding peace and justice for Palestinians while other sections are sharing disturbing visuals highlighting the other side of the story revolving around the cold-bloodedness of Hamas.

 

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