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As the dust settles on a ceasefire and 11 days of Israeli aggression inÌýthe already besieged Gaza Strip, it's worth taking a moment to note the historical shift in narrative that has occurred, with many activists, celebrities, politicians and journalists, urging for continued use of social media to support the resistance.

There is no denying that social media is playing an integral role in shifting perceptions when it comes to what is now as "apartheid", to describe the situation Palestinian people are facing.

The ease and immediacy of sharing, retweeting and reposting has turned social media into a crucial tool in this successful shift in narrative.

Over the past week, social media platforms have been brimming with hashtags such asÌýand the opposingÌý. According to data from RiteTag, the latter had garnered 42 unique tweets per hour, 34.8 thousand hashtag exposures per hour, and 141 retweets per hour, whileÌý#freepalestineÌýracked up 4,571 unique tweets per hour, 12.3 million hashtag exposures per hour, and 6,679 retweets per hourÌýover the last 24 hours, which points to the substantial pace of these trends.

"The ease and immediacy of sharing, retweeting and and reposting has turned social media into a crucial tool"

Citizen reporting from within PalestineÌýby people such asÌý, , to name a few, now allows people to witness unedited scenes and events in real time, which has led to a rise in empathy and audience integrity.

For instance, Palestinian researcher Ìýviolent Israeli aggression and the abuse of women who were peacefully protesting.ÌýVideos have also been uploaded to YouTube documenting a day in Gaza under attack. Ahmed AlMansiÌýfilmed aÌýentitled "This year Eid is ruined and we will not celebrate," where he filmed his daughters trying to play as a distraction from the bombs falling around them, he wasÌýÌýkilled a few days later.

Jewish activists, such as members of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), are also advocating tirelessly across their social platformsÌýfor the freedom of Palestine, and explicitly calling out Israeli apartheid and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.

Celebrities too, are speaking out. Mark RuffaloÌý sanctions on Israel, and Dua Lipa also tweeted her support for Palestinians.

Models Gigi and Bella Hadid,Ìýwhose father is Palestinian, alsosocial media accounts - with over 108 million followers combined -Ìýto voice support. Their huge platforms reach millions in a matter of seconds, and are helping to drive forward a change in the mainstream narrative.

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As a result, millions who may have previously felt reluctant are now more at ease in using terms such as "Israeli apartheid"Ìýas they become trending hashtags in the online world. In aÌýÌýfrom 2017, Israeli comedy talk show host, Asaf Harel, gives a monologue using the word "apartheid"Ìýand calls out the oppression of Palestinians and the Israeli occupation. Many Israelis left comments such as, "I'm an Israeli and I was arrested for shouting the truth at demonstrations" and, "we need to unite if we want to stop apartheid."

In addition, from January of this year in +972 magazine gained traction again this week. Attention paid to the theÌýpiece,Ìýentitled "'We're taking responsibility': Sixty teens announce refusal to serve in Israeli army'' suggests thatÌýthe trending hashtags are bringing to light ideas that have existed for a long time, as people scour the internet in search of supporting material.

The scales are visibly tipping in favour of Palestinians, and social media has played a pivotal part in fostering a more widely accepted understanding of Palestinian oppression.

Just as the Black Lives Matter movement relied heavily on social media and has cemented hashtags that are helping toÌýbring about real world changes, in recent days we have seen this groundswell for Palestinian rights reflected offline, as Bernie Sanders and AOC introduce resolutions to halt USÌýarms sales to Israel, the US its Jerusalem consulate, and Elbit systems arms factory wasÌýforced to haltÌýproduction.

Nevertheless, one question remains: Will this shift in narrative endure? Muna ElKurd is hopeful, "I'm really starting to believe that the occupation will finally end".

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Ragheb Malli is a social media activist and writer with a BA in political science.

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Have questions or comments? Email us at: editorial-english@alaraby.co.uk

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of °®Âþµº, its editorial board or staff.Ìý