United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Friday that he invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter for the first time since 1971 because “there is a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza.” That article allows a U.N. chief to raise threats he sees to international peace and security.
Quick Read
- Invocation of Article 99: U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter for the first time since 1971, highlighting the serious threat to international peace and security posed by the situation in Gaza.
- Humanitarian Collapse in Gaza: Guterres warned of a high risk of a total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza, pointing to a potential breaking point for the region.
- Risk of Starvation and Displacement: There is an imminent risk of starvation in Gaza, and a potential for public order breakdown and mass displacement into Egypt.
- Scheduled Security Council Vote: A meeting was set to vote on a UAE-drafted resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The UAE is the Arab representative on the 15-member Security Council.
- U.S. Opposition to Ceasefire: The United States, a key ally of Israel, has expressed opposition to a ceasefire.
- Meeting with U.S. Secretary of State: The vote was to take place after a meeting between a ministerial delegation from the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, led by Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
- Guterres on Hamas and Israel: Guterres condemned Hamas’ actions against Israelis but also stated that such actions do not justify collective punishment of Palestinians by Israel. He emphasized that violations by Hamas do not absolve Israel of its own violations.
- U.S. Perspective on Ceasefire: The U.S. reiterated its opposition to a ceasefire, arguing that it would leave Hamas in control of Gaza and not lead to durable peace. The U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood indicated this stance in an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting.
- Criticism of Security Council’s Inaction: The U.S. criticized the Security Council’s failure to condemn Hamas’ attack on October 7 as a moral failure.
The Associated Press has the story:
UN Chief Guterres at Security Council: ‘Gaza is at a breaking point’
Newslooks- UNITED NATIONS (AP)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Friday that he invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter for the first time since 1971 because “there is a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza.” That article allows a U.N. chief to raise threats he sees to international peace and security.
Guterres warned that the Gaza Strip is at “a breaking point” and desperate people are at serious risk of starvation. He said the U.N. anticipates this would result in “a complete breakdown of public order and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt.”
The council was scheduled to hold a meeting later Friday to vote on a resolution by the United Arab Emirates demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. The United Arab Emirates is the Arab representative on the 15-member body. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has not supported a cease-fire.
The vote will take place after a ministerial delegation from the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, led by Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, meets U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington.
The U.N. secretary-general told the Security Council that Hamas’ brutality against Israelis on Oct. 7 “can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.” He stressed that “while indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas into Israel, and the use of civilians as human shields, are in contravention of the laws of war, such conduct does not absolve Israel of its own violations.”
US SAYS IT DOES NOT SUPPORT IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE
UNITED NATIONS — The United States is reiterating its opposition to a cease-fire in Gaza, saying it would leave Hamas in charge of the territory still holding over 100 Israeli hostages.
In Washington| FMs of the Arab – Islamic Committee hold a joint briefing & open discussions with correspondents of lead foreign media agencies, on the grave war & Israeli violations in Gaza, & the need for firm intl efforts to stop the war & reach a ceasefire. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Right, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Left. Friday 8, December, 2023.
U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood’s statement to an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Friday was a strong signal that the United States will veto a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. The resolution is backed by Arab and Islamic nations, the U.N. secretary-general and many other countries.
The council has scheduled a vote for later Friday. The resolution is sponsored by the United Arab Emirates, the Arab representative on the council.
Wood said the U.S. does not believe that an immediate cease-fire would lead to “durable peace, in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security” because Hamas would remain in charge. A halt to military action would only “plant the seeds for the next war” he said, “because Hamas has no desire to see a durable peace, to see a two-state solution.”
He also called the Security Council’s failure to condemn Hamas’ cross-border attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7 “a serious moral failure.”
