Israel's offensive aims to make Gaza uninhabitable, says HRW
Gaza: Israel continues its military assault on Gaza while implementing measures to establish direct control over the region, raising concerns over forced displacement and long-term occupation. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has stated that Israel’s actions are part of a deliberate plan to make Gaza uninhabitable.
Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, the Israeli offensive has resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths. HRW has linked the campaign to U.S. President Donald Trump's resettlement plan, which reportedly includes strategies to seize Gaza and remove its Palestinian population.
Meanwhile, Israel has placed humanitarian aid distribution under the oversight of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), an agency under the Israeli Defence Ministry. Aid will now be channelled through Israeli-controlled logistics hubs, with assistance restricted to those deemed “non-disruptive.” The closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is expected to significantly impact the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Israel has also mandated that all NGOs in Gaza register with its authorities, bringing their operations under Israeli control.
Additionally, a new governance division under the Israeli Defence Ministry will regulate Palestinian departures from Gaza, overseeing land, sea, and air travel. Israeli officials claim these measures comply with international law and align with U.S. policies on Gaza.
Simultaneously, Israel has approved the construction of 13 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank under the directive of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. HRW has condemned the move, calling it an illegal expansion aimed at annexing Palestinian land.
Reports from the Israeli publication Mekomit suggest that as early as October 2023, Israel’s intelligence ministry had drafted plans to depopulate Gaza and assume full control over the enclave. Initial proposals reportedly included relocating Palestinians to Egypt’s Sinai region. The developments indicate a broader strategy to integrate Gaza into Israel while limiting Palestinian self-governance.
In response, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have proposed a $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza. However, with continued military operations and growing restrictions on aid, the region faces an escalating humanitarian crisis.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
