Israeli airstrike hits refugee camp in Northern Gaza, killing 33
Deir Al-balah (Gaza Strip): At least 33 people, including 21 women, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, according to Hamas-led authorities. The attack, which injured more than 85 people, has worsened the dire humanitarian situation in the densely populated camp, which has been under siege for weeks.
The final death toll is expected to rise, as many residents remain trapped beneath the rubble of homes belonging to three families. Ambulance crews continue recovery efforts, but overwhelmed hospitals are treating injured individuals on the floors due to a lack of space.
Video footage circulating on social media, which has not been independently verified, shows bodies wrapped in white shrouds laid out at al-Awda Hospital. The hospital's director described the influx of casualties as unmanageable, stating, “Our wards are completely full.”
Israeli authorities have not commented on the attack. They claim to have delivered 30 trucks carrying food, water, and medical supplies into northern Gaza, but local officials say aid has not reached heavily impacted areas like Jabalia.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. The head of the UN's Office for Humanitarian Assistance, Georgios Petropoulos, warned that conditions in Jabalia are "atrocious." Speaking from southern Gaza, he emphasized the urgent need for more relief efforts.
Israel's blockade of northern Gaza remains in place, with Minister Amichai Chikli defending the restrictions as “legal under international law.” He stated that civilians were given an opportunity to evacuate to designated safe zones, but supplies were barred from entering the blockaded areas.
In a parallel development, US President Joe Biden expressed hope for a potential ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel is engaged in ground operations against Hezbollah militants. However, he admitted that achieving a ceasefire in Gaza would be more challenging.
The airstrike follows the recent killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which some had hoped might bring an end to the conflict. However, Hamas deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya declared that hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack would not be released unless Israel ends its military campaign and withdraws from Gaza.
Clashes also intensified in Lebanon, with Israel claiming to have killed 60 Hezbollah fighters and destroyed a regional command center. In response, Hezbollah reported rocket attacks on Haifa and nearby areas.
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Priyank Kharge claims VB-G RAM G act undermines MGNREGA's rights-based framework
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday strongly criticised the Union government's VB-G RAM G act 2025 that replaced MGNREGA, claiming that changes in the new legislation weaken and undermine the previous act's core promise as a rights-based rural employment programme.
In a post on social media platform 'X', Priyank Kharge said the act would gradually make the scheme untenable by transforming it from a demand-driven legal entitlement into a supply-driven arrangement, thereby stripping citizens of their right to demand work.
He observed that while the Centre would retain most decision-making powers, states would be forced to shoulder the bulk of the financial and administrative burden.
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"Much has been spoken about the VB-G RAM G Bill. But beyond everything else, these changes will slowly make the scheme untenable and eventually kill the idea of a rights-based rural employment guarantee," Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, said in his post.
The minister, who holds Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Information Technology and Bio-technology portfolio, further contended that the proposed changes amounted to a dilution of fiscal federalism, particularly at a time when states are already facing shrinking financial resources.
He pointed out that tax devolution to states had fallen from 34 per cent to 31 per cent, far below the 42 per cent recommended by the Finance Commission, even as centrally sponsored schemes were becoming increasingly restrictive.
By centralising powers and curbing local planning and decentralised governance, the act would weaken the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which grants constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, Kharge warned.
According to him, such centralisation would erode the role of local bodies that are critical to the effective implementation of MGNREGA on the ground.
Questioning the Union government's rationale, the Karnataka minister asked how the legislation could be termed a reform when it failed to meaningfully strengthen the scheme for rural workers who depend on it for livelihood security.
He maintained that reducing a legal right to work into what he described as a 'token centrally sponsored scheme', would defeat the very purpose of MGNREGA. Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday slammed the Centre for doing away with MGNREGA.
Kharge alleged that Modi is purposely destroying that Act as he wants to make poor villagers and farm labourers slaves of rich people. "Therefore, we fought for the retention of the original MGNREGA and whatever provisions are there (in the original Act) should be retained. I condemn the new Act. It is only helping the government," the Congress chief said.
The parliament, on December 18, passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G Bill) and President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday gave her assent to the bill and made it an act. This act replaces the 20-year-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and guarantees 125 days of rural wage employment every year.
