‘Nowhere is safe in Gaza’: UN chief urges Security Council to ensure ceasefire

Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter enabling him to call a meeting of the council on matters of international peace and security.

Dec 7, 2023 - 16:30

‘Nowhere is safe in Gaza’: UN chief urges Security Council to ensure ceasefire

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter urging its Security Council to stop the war in Gaza.

This is the first time in Guterres’ tenure that this provision has been invoked.

Article 99 is the “only independent political tool” that allows the UN secretary general to initiate a meeting of the Security Council on “any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security”, reported Al Jazeera.

“Facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, I urge the council to help avert a humanitarian catastrophe and appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared,” Guterres posted on X.

I've just invoked Art.99 of the UN Charter - for the 1st time in my tenure as Secretary-General.

Facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, I urge the Council to help avert a humanitarian catastrophe & appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared. pic.twitter.com/pA0eRXZnFJ— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 6, 2023

In a letter to the 15-member UN Security Council, Guterres said that amid constant bombardment by the Israel forces and civilians lacking shelter or essential goods, he was expecting public order to break down soon in Gaza...