Many Indian celebrities have come forward denouncing the Israeli airstrike which reportedly triggered a fire and killed 45 people in Rafah.

The celebrities who condemned Israel’s attack on Rafah include (clockwise) Alia Bhatt, Dulquer Salmaan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Kareena Kapoor Khan. (Images: Instagram)

The Israeli airstrike which reportedly triggered a fire that killed 45 people in a tent camp in the Gazan city of Rafah has prompted an outcry not only from global leaders, but also from the Indian film fraternity. Ever since the incident late Sunday night (IST), many celebrities, including A-listers, have taken to social media to condemn Israel’s actions and show solidarity with Gaza. These celebrities include Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Varun Dhawan, Sonam Kapoor, rapper Honey Singh and Madhuri Dixit Nene, among others.

Bollywood star Alia Bhatt took to her Instagram stories to share a post by another user that stated, “All children deserve love. All children deserve safety. All children deserve peace. All children deserve life. And all mothers deserve to be able to give their children those things,” accompanied by the hashtag “All Eyes On Rafah”.

Also read | Charred bodies and screams: Witnesses describe scenes of horror at Rafah camp
Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a post by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), condemning the Israeli attack. “Images of burned children and families emerging from bombed tents in Rafah shocks us all. The reported killing of children sheltering in makeshift tents is unconscionable. For over seven months, we’ve witnessed this tragedy unfold, resulting in thousands of children killed or injured. There must be an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the senseless killing of children,” the post signed by the UN agency’s executive director Catherine Russell said.

 Tens of celebrities like Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared on their respective Instagram stories a viral image with the words “All Eyes On Rafah” inscribed on it. Kareena Kapoor Khan, in the meantime, shared a post by the UNICEF condemning the Israeli attack. Bollywood star Alia Bhatt took to her Instagram stories to share a post by another user, accompanied by the hashtag “All Eyes On Rafah”.Meanwhile, tens of other celebrities, such as Varun Dhawan, Sonam Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Dulquer Salmaan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Swara Bhasker, Jawan director Atlee, former tennis player Sania Mirza, comedian Vir Das, Dia Mirza, Tripti Dimri, singer Shilpa Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Uorfi Javed, Rakul Preet Singh, Ileana D’Cruz, Hansika Motwani, Ayesha Takia and Nora Fatehi shared on their respective Instagram stories a viral image with the words “All Eyes On Rafah” inscribed on it. While actor Malaika Arora shared a post asserting that “there is no such thing as killing children legally,” rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh noted that he was heartbroken.

According to news agency Reuters, survivors said families were preparing to sleep when the strike hit the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood where thousands were sheltering there after Israeli forces began a ground offensive in the east of Rafah over two weeks ago.

Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that a “tragic mistake” had been made. “Despite our utmost efforts not to harm innocent civilians, last night,” Netanyahu said on Monday in an address to Israel’s parliament, “there was a tragic mistake. We are investigating the incident and will obtain a conclusion because this is our policy.” Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, after militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on the former.