Rafah, situated in Gaza, has become the center of attention. Israel has pledged to continue its military campaign in Rafah despite facing criticism from around the world. The Israeli military has been conducting what it describes as a ‘restricted operation’ in Rafah since the beginning of May.
The global spotlight turned to Rafah as messages flooded social media on Tuesday, showing solidarity with the Palestinians living in the war-torn city within Gaza. The phrase “All eyes on Rafah” resonated widely, highlighting the ongoing plight of over 1.4 million Palestinians seeking refuge amidst the conflict. Iran’s Embassy in India shared, “‘All eyes on Rafah’ symbolizes the ongoing tragedy in Rafah, Gaza, where civilians are enduring the horrors of conflict.” Despite facing international condemnation and an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt military operations, Israel persists with airstrikes in the area.
What’s happening in Rafah?
Israel carried out the strike on Rafah late Sunday, following Hamas’s rocket attack on the Tel Aviv area earlier that day, with most rockets intercepted. According to CNN, citing the government media office in Gaza, the airstrike hit a tent camp in Rafah housing displaced people, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 individuals and injuring 200 others.
The assault provoked widespread international condemnation directed at Israel. A spokesperson from the US National Security Council emphasized that Israel “must take all necessary measures to safeguard civilians.”
According to the UNRWA’s report on Tuesday, approximately one million individuals have evacuated Rafah due to the Israeli offensive since the beginning of May. However, numerous Palestinians have expressed concerns about being exposed to Israeli attacks regardless of their location, leading them to relocate within the Gaza Strip over the past few months.
Israel reaffirmed its commitment to continue its offensive in Rafah despite facing global criticism and a warning from the United States against proceeding. The Israeli military has been conducting what it terms as a limited operation in Rafah since early May, with the aim of targeting fighters and dismantling Hamas infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Reuters reported that Israel instructed civilians to relocate to an “expanded humanitarian zone” approximately 20 km (12 miles) away from the conflict zone.
Despite a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday commanding Israel to cease its actions in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and withdraw from the territory, Israel has continued its attacks. The ICJ’s order for Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah adds to the significant diplomatic pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu is encountering regarding the conflict in Gaza.
The hashtag ‘All eyes on Rafah’ gained significant traction on social media platforms, with numerous individuals expressing solidarity with Palestinians in the city of Rafah in Gaza.
On Tuesday, May 28, Spain and Norway declared formal recognition of a Palestinian state, aiming to facilitate peace efforts between Palestinians and Israelis and to seek a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Additionally, Ireland announced its intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state on the same date.
Israel criticized the actions of the three European countries, asserting that their decisions only serve to strengthen the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, took to Twitter, accusing Spain of capitulating to Hamas.
The war began after the October 7 Hamas attack on Southern Israel and it resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, in which there were mostly civilians, as per the AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Countries assert that the two-state solution might bring about peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
