United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, a move unprecedented since 1971, due to the high risk of the humanitarian aid system in Gaza collapsing. Guterres warned the Security Council that the Gaza Strip is at a breaking point, with desperate people facing the risk of starvation. The UN anticipates a complete breakdown of public order and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt if the situation continues to deteriorate.
Guterres urged for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, but US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood emphasized that the US does not believe an immediate ceasefire would lead to a durable peace, as Hamas would remain in control. Wood also criticized the Security Council’s failure to condemn Hamas’s cross-border attack in southern Israel on October 7, calling it a “serious moral failure.” The US has threatened to veto a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, which could leave the Council deadlocked.
Guterres condemned both Hamas’s actions against Israelis on October 7 and Israel’s violations, stating that neither side can absolve the other of their actions. He stressed that Hamas’s brutal actions cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The UN chief’s warning comes as the humanitarian aid system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse, leaving desperate people facing the risk of starvation.
US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood (Via Robert Wood/Twitter)
The situation in Gaza is dire, with public order on the verge of breaking down and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt. The UN is urging for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to prevent a complete breakdown of the humanitarian aid system, but the US has reiterated its opposition, citing concerns that an immediate ceasefire would leave Hamas in control. The stalemate has led to fears that the situation could escalate further, with widespread humanitarian consequences.
As the crisis deepens, the UN is urging the international community to take immediate action to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Guterres is urging for a ceasefire, which would allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need. However, the US and other member states have yet to commit to a solution, leaving the situation precarious. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching critical levels, with the UN warning of a disaster if immediate action is not taken.
