Indian Stars Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Voice Support For Palestine Amid Rafah Crisis

New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) Prominent Indian celebrities, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, have expressed solidarity with Palestine following an Israeli airstrike on a camp in Rafah that resulted in 45 fatalities. The airstrike on the southern Gaza city of Rafah has drawn widespread condemnation, with local health officials confirming the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians, including displaced individuals living in tents.

Alia Bhatt took to Instagram to share her thoughts, posting an image that read, "All children deserve love. All children deserve safety. All children deserve peace. All children deserve life." She added, "And all mothers deserve to be able to give their children those things," accompanied by the hashtag "#AllEyesOnRafah."

Kareena Kapoor Khan, recently appointed as the national ambassador of UNICEF India, shared a post from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The post stated, "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."

The UNICEF post further called for an "immediate ceasefire" and the "unconditional release of all hostages" as well as "an end to the senseless killing of children." Richa Chadha shared a reel by a news outlet accusing Israel of "settler colonial genocide," adding that "Anyone still supporting Israel is guilty of murdering literal babies."

Widespread Outrage

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and other celebrities such as Sonam Kapoor, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Konkona Sen Sharma, Atlee, Vir Das, Dia Mirza, Triptii Dimri, Shilpa Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, and Rakul Preet Singh also shared a viral image on Instagram with the words "All Eyes On Rafah" embossed on it.

The Israeli strike has caused significant outrage globally, including from some of Israel's closest allies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a "tragic mishap."