“All Eyes on Rafah”: Global Outcry Over Israeli Airstrikes Amidst Palestinian State Recognition

“All eyes on Rafah” – the phrase flooded social media on Tuesday as several people from across the world came out in support of Palestinians residing in the Rafah city located in war-torn Gaza. “’All eyes on Rafah’ is a phrase that refers to the ongoing genocide in Rafah, Gaza, with over 1.4 million Palestinians seeking shelter,” Iran’s Embassy in India posted on X.

Israel continues to launch airstrikes in the region despite facing global outrage and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order demanding Israel put an end to the military operation in the area. Meanwhile, in a historic yet “symbolic” move, two European countries – Spain and Norway – officially recognized a Palestinian state on Tuesday, May 28.  Ireland is yet to follow suit.

At least 45 people, including children, were killed at a refugee camp in Gaza’s Rafah after an Israeli air strike. The incident, coming just days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt its operation in Rafah, triggered international outrage, deepening the global isolation facing Israel over the war in Gaza.

Israel launched the attack on Rafah late Sunday, hours after Hamas unleashed a barrage of rockets at the Tel Aviv area, most of which were intercepted.

Israeli forces pressed their assault on the border town – once seen as the territory’s last refuge – despite an order last week from the top UN court to halt its operation there.