In a critical development, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, a rare and significant move, to address the escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip. This action underscores the urgency of the situation, as Guterres highlighted the “severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system” in Gaza. The region, home to 2.2 million residents, is facing a dire situation with the majority now displaced and essential services decimated.
Guterres, in his communication to the UN Security Council, expressed grave concerns about the imminent collapse of public order in Gaza. He stated, “Amid constant bombardment by the Israel Defense Forces, and without shelter or the essentials to survive, I expect the public order to completely break down soon due to the desperate conditions, rendering even limited humanitarian assistance impossible”. The Secretary-General warned of potential epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into neighboring countries.
The situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, leading to catastrophic conditions with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians and regional peace and security. Guterres emphasized that this outcome must be avoided at all costs.
This invocation of Article 99, the first in Guterres’ nearly seven-year tenure, is a dramatic constitutional move, as noted by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. The actual use of Article 99 has not occurred in decades, highlighting the gravity of the current situation.
Israel’s response to this move has been critical. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, described Guterres’ use of Article 99 of the UN Charter as “a new moral low”, accusing the Secretary-General of bias against Israel and supporting Hamas, which Israel considers a terrorist organization. Erdan condemned the call for a ceasefire, interpreting it as support for Hamas’ reign of terror in Gaza.
The United Arab Emirates, a current member of the UN Security Council, has submitted a draft resolution supporting Guterres’ call for a ceasefire and invoking Article 99. This resolution, backed by Arab and Muslim states, emphasizes the moral and humanitarian imperative of the situation.
The World Food Program (WFP) has also expressed concern, warning that the renewed fighting in Gaza would exacerbate the already catastrophic hunger crisis. The conflict has forced over 1.8 million Gazans to flee their homes, making aid distribution nearly impossible and endangering humanitarian workers. The WFP stressed the disaster this poses for Gaza’s civilian population, reliant on food assistance.
In response to a massive terrorist attack on October 7, Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip. The Israeli operations in Gaza have resulted in civilian casualties as well, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry.
This situation in Gaza remains critical, with international calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid growing amidst the escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis.
