ISLAMABAD: The relentless bombardment of Rafah by Israeli forces has triggered a wave of condemnation and outrage from celebrities and influential figures worldwide, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate. Reports of a recent barbaric airstrike targeting a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians in a designated safe zone have sparked strong reactions on social media.
Pakistani actor Mahira Khan took to Instagram to express her anguish and condemnation, denouncing the barbaric attacks that killed innocent Palestinian civilians, including burnt and decapitated children. She questioned the morality of a world that could witness such atrocities without being moved to action. She lamented the failure of global powers to protect the vulnerable Palestinians.
Model and actor Amna Ilyas reflected on the deteriorating state of humanity and called for the urgent need to end the violence.
Despite a ruling by the top UN court ordering Israel to cease its offensive actions in Gaza, the onslaught continues, exacerbating an already dire situation. Celebrities like Nadia Hussain and Yumna Zaidi shared disturbing images and videos from Rafah, calling for divine intervention. They urged people to stand up for the truth and justice.
While highlighting the gravity of the situation, Ali Rehman Khan condemned the brutalities inflicted upon innocent Palestinian civilians and demanded accountability for genocide. As the world bears witness to the horrors unfolding in Rafah, calls for action and solidarity reverberate across social media platforms.
However, amidst the outcry, reports of censorship on platforms like Instagram have surfaced, raising concerns about the suppression of free speech. Activists Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr and Zara Tareen have called attention to instances of content removal and shadowbanning.
In response to reports of censorship, actor Zara Tareen promoted a digital protest planned for June 1, a “Global Log Out Day.” Her Instagram post called for a 24-hour boycott of Meta platforms, stating, “Global log out day. Meta and Instagram are silencing and restricting free speech. Let’s log out for at least one whole day to let them know the subscriber is the power, not the platform.”
Naimal Khawar summed up the collective sentiment of frustration and sorrow: “O Allah help. Feeling helpless, angry, and scared for the people of Rafah. The devastation and suffering are beyond words. Praying for an end to this violence.” In light of increasing social media restrictions, many celebrities and supporters of Palestine are using alternative spellings like “FreePlastine” and abbreviations like “PS” to avoid censorship and continue spreading their messages of solidarity and condemnation.
In India, actors Radhika Apte and Gauahar Khan have also lent their voices to amplify the cause, sharing videos and posts about the atrocities in Rafah. The international community watches with growing alarm as the violence escalates.
