UN Invokes Rare And Powerful Article 99 On Gaza Due To Severe Threats On Global Peace
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has invoked the rare and powerful Article 99 to push for the Security Council to call for a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.
In a letter to the UN Security Council, he urges the Council to use its power to press for a ceasefire in Gaza saying that the humanitarian situation cannot be addressed in the current environment.
This Article states that the Secretary-General may call a Security Council meeting on any matter which he believes may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.
The humanitarian response is at a severe risk of collapse if there is not a ceasefire and more aid is not allowed to get in, he explained.
While attempts to call for a ceasefire have made it to the Council, with some members supporting such an action, a resolution has not yet been approved. The US, which has veto power as a permanent SC member, is against a ceasefire and wants to continue negotiations.
This is a significant step and Guterres’ first time invoking Article 99 which shows the state of the humanitarian devastation in Gaza.
A week-long pause in hostilities that escalated since 7th October just came to an end and Israel’s merciless bombardment of the people in Gaza continues.
What do you make of this development?
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