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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Gaza death toll crosses 60,000, says health ministry as war rages on
Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 21-month Israel-Hamas war, Gaza's Health Ministry said Tuesday. Israel's offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, displaced around 90% of the population and caused to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine.(REUTERS) The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, said the death toll has climbed to to 60,034, with another 145,870 people wounded since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. It did not say how many were civilians or militants, but has said women and children make up around half the dead. The ministry is staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and other independent experts view its figures as the most reliable count of casualties. Israel's offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, displaced around 90% of the population and caused to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. At least 70 Palestinians killed over past day As international organizations warn of a 'worst-case scenario of famine," Israel continued to strike the Gaza Strip, killing at least 70 Palestinians in the past day, according to local hospitals. More than half were killed while attempting to access aid, hospitals said, and includes a rising toll from a deadly incident on Monday as people attempted to access aid from a truck convoy passing through the southern Gaza Strip. Local hospitals said they received the bodies of an additional 33 people who were killed by gunfire around an aid convoy in southern Gaza on Monday, bringing the total from the single incident to 58. The Israeli military did not comment on the shooting. Israel says it only targets militants and takes extraordinary measures to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in populated areas. The military said it targeted Hamas military infrastructure over the past day including rocket launchers, weapons storage facilities and tunnels. An additional seven Palestinians were killed while attempting to access aid near the American and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund site in central Gaza, according to local hospitals. Neither GHF nor the Israeli military commented on the shooting, but the Israeli military has said in the past it only fires warning shots if troops feel threatened and GHF has said their contractors haven't fired at civilians. Air strikes also targeted tents hosting displaced people in the central city of Nuseirat, killing 30 people, including 12 children and 14 women, according to Al-Awda hospital. The strikes come as international organizations continue to warn about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has teetered on the brink of famine for two years. Recent developments have 'dramatically worsened' the situation, according to a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC. Israel rejects claims of starvation policies Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday rejected claims of 'starvation policies' in Gaza and said the focus on starvation is a 'distorted campaign of international pressure.' 'This pressure is directly sabotaging the chances for a ceasefire and hostage deal, it is only pushing towards military escalation by hardening Hamas's stance,' he said. Both the U.S. and Israel have recalled their negotiating teams over the past week as negotiations seem to have stalled. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the attack that sparked the war, and abducted another 251. They are still holding 50 captives, around 20 believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals. The war took a major turn in early March when Israel imposed a complete 2 ½ month blockade, barring the entry of all food, medicine, fuel and other goods. Weeks later, Israel ended a ceasefire with a surprise bombardment and began seizing large areas of Gaza, measures it said were aimed at pressuring Hamas to release more hostages. At least 8,867 Palestinians have been killed since then. Israel eased the blockade in May, but U.N. agencies say it hasn't allowed nearly enough aid to enter and that they have struggled to deliver it because of Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of law and order. An alternative Israeli-backed system run by an American contractor has been marred by violence and controversy. Gutted health system, daily strikes and a hunger crisis Near-daily Israeli strikes have hit schools, shelters, hospitals and other civilian buildings, killing men, women and children. The military usually says it was targeting militants hiding out among civilians, while occasionally acknowledging mistakes. Israel's offensive and its blockade have also gutted Gaza's health system, with several hospitals having shut down and others only partially functioning as they receive waves of war-wounded. The hunger crisis has also taken its toll. The World Health Organization says more than 60 people have died this month from malnutrition-related causes, including 24 children under five. Overall, 88 children died of causes related to malnutrition since the start of the war, and 58 adults died this month also malnutrition-related causes, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. During hunger crises, people can die from malnutrition or from common illnesses or injuries that the body is not strong enough to fight. The ministry doesn't include hunger-related deaths in its overall toll.
News18
10 hours ago
- News18
'One Donor Can Save Eight Lives': Centre Urges Ministries To Promote Organ Donation
Last Updated: August 3 marks Indian Organ Donation Day, where the government is set to launch a yearlong 'Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan' In a strong push to address India's widening gap between organ demand and availability, the Health Ministry has written to all central government ministries and departments, urging them to actively participate in promoting organ and tissue donation. A letter written by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said, 'Strengthening of the healthcare systems to facilitate organ donation and transplantation is one of the top priorities of the government." The move comes ahead of Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) on August 3, and coincides with the launch of a yearlong public awareness campaign titled 'Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan". The campaign will be led by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Srivastava has called for the ministries to lead the change and urged ministries to organise pledge drives among citizens and staff. '…central government ministries and departments are requested that a drive may be carried out to encourage citizens to register their pledge for organ and tissue donation… and join the pious movement of saving others' lives through organ donation." She added, 'I seek your cooperation in this National endeavour to further the noble cause of organ donation for the sake of humanity." The letter reiterates the transformative power of organ donation. 'One deceased donor after brain stem death can donate 2 kidneys, 2 lungs, liver, heart, intestine and pancreas, thus potentially saving up to 8 lives," it stated. Tissues such as corneas, skin, bones, and heart valves can also be donated—often even after natural or cardiac death, typically within six hours. The momentum around organ donation has been growing, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted its importance during his Mann Ki Baat programme. 'Hon'ble Prime Minister has highlighted the importance of organ donation in his Mann Ki Baat programme, which has given impetus to organ donation in the country," she wrote. Now, through 'Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan," the government hopes to turn loss into legacy—encouraging more Indians to give the gift of life, even in death. Why This Matters: India's Organ Gap According to NOTTO's latest annual data, India conducted 18,378 organ transplants in 2023, but the deceased donor rate remains just 0.52 per million population (PMP)—far below global standards. Sample this: The country faces an annual requirement of over 175,000 kidney transplants, 50,000 liver transplants, and 2,000 heart transplants, but less than 10 per cent of this demand is currently met through deceased donations. According to the Health Ministry's data, the total number of donors, including deceased donors, saw an increase from 6,916 in 2014 to approximately 16,000 by 2022. In 2022, out of 16,000 donations, nearly 80% were from living donors, which is not ideal. The majority of transplants should come from deceased donors. In 2023, only 1,056 deceased donors were recorded nationwide, though this was the first time India crossed the 1,000 mark. By contrast, countries like Spain and the United States record 30–40 deceased donors per million population, highlighting the urgent need to expand awareness, infrastructure, and participation in India. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
10 hours ago
- Business Standard
Rise in stray dog bites turns Indian streets unsafe for children, elderly
India is witnessing a sharp rise in dog bite cases, with over 3.7 million incidents and 54 confirmed human rabies deaths reported in 2024. The figures, compiled by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the National Rabies Control Programme, highlight the growing public health challenge. Analysis of data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shows that incidents of dog bite in India have increased by nearly 70 per cent between 2022 and 2024, signalling a larger systemic failure in managing stray dog populations. Deaths caused by rabies also witnessed a sharp increase during the period. This trend threatens India's target of eliminating rabies by 2030 under its National Rabies Control Programme. Elderly and children are more vulnerable Children are particularly at risk due to their vulnerable size, limited awareness, and tendency to interact with animals. Experts note that younger children are more likely to suffer bites to the head, neck or face, making injuries more severe and traumatic. According to Health Ministry data, dog bite cases involving children under 15 were reported across India between January and December 2024 with most attacks involving stray dogs in residential neighbourhoods, school zones, or while playing outdoors. The elderly are also vulnerable to dog bites due to slower reflexes, reduced mobility, and sensory impairments like poor vision or hearing, which make it harder to detect or respond to aggressive behaviour of stray animals. The use of walking aids can also startle stray dogs, while underlying health conditions and weakened immunity increase the risk of complications from even minor bites. Centre and civic bodies plan action On July 28, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the growing problem of stray dog attacks across the country, particularly those leading to rabies and fatalities. The court's action came after it came across a report in The Times of India titled 'City hounded by strays and kids pay price', highlighting the dire situation in urban areas like Delhi where children are frequent victims. The move underscores the urgent need for stronger intervention, especially in capital cities struggling to contain the crisis. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced plans to form dedicated committees and establish shelter homes to better control and manage the city's growing stray dog population. A citywide survey is also being planned to estimate the current number of community dogs on Delhi's streets- a much-needed move, as the last dog census was conducted in 2016 and only covered the southern region. The survey had revealed that just 40.3 per cent of male dogs and 27.8 per cent of female dogs had been sterilised. Animal welfare experts and civic authorities agree that mass sterilisation, timely vaccination, and increased community awareness are essential strategies to curb the stray dog population and reduce bite incidents.
