The image of tent camps forming the words “All Eyes On Rafah” has taken social media by storm, with nearly 45 million people, including celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, sharing it on Twitter and Instagram. The campaign gained momentum amidst international condemnation of Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the death of 45 people in a tent camp in Rafah.
However, experts have raised questions about the authenticity of the viral image, suggesting that it may have been generated with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The image, which shows rows of white tents with a backdrop of mountains, has been criticized for potentially replacing more distressing footage from Gaza.
Communication researcher Felix M Simon believes that the image was likely created using AI, pointing out visual hallmarks typical of AI-generated content. The image, which does not accurately depict the reality of Rafah’s encampments, could have been produced to bypass content moderation policies on social media platforms.
Despite the controversy surrounding the image, social media platforms have not labeled it as AI-generated. The slogan “All Eyes On Rafah” reportedly originated from a statement by Rick Peeperkorn, director of the World Health Organization’s Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, with thousands of Palestinians killed in the Gaza offensive, the viral image has sparked discussions about the use of AI in creating and sharing content related to sensitive political issues.