NEW
YORK — United Nations Secretary-General
António Guterres issued a warning on
Wednesday about the "imminent complete collapse of public order" in the
Gaza Strip, which has faced Israeli aggression since October 7.
اضافة اعلان
In
an unprecedented message to the Security Council, Guterres emphasized the
urgent need for a
humanitarian ceasefire to be declared. Referring, for the
first time since assuming the Secretariat in 2017, to Article 99 of the Charter
of the United Nations, which allows him to "draw the attention" of
the Council to a file that "could endanger the maintenance of
international peace and security," Guterres expressed deep concern.
He
stated, "With the continuing
Israeli bombing and the absence of shelters
or a minimum level of survival, I anticipate an imminent complete collapse of
public order due to desperate conditions, making humanitarian assistance
impossible, even if limited."
Guterres
highlighted the
potential worsening of the situation with the spread of
epidemics and increased pressure for mass movements toward neighboring
countries. While acknowledging that humanitarian aid passing through the Rafah
crossing is insufficient, he noted, "We are simply unable to reach those
who need aid inside Gaza."
"The
capacities of the UN and its
humanitarian partners have been undermined by
supply shortages, fuel shortages, communications blackouts, and growing
insecurity," Guterres added.
Warning
of a looming
humanitarian catastrophe, Guterres stressed the responsibility of
the international community to use its influence to prevent further escalation
and bring an end to the crisis. He called on Security Council members to exert
pressure to avert such a catastrophe.
In
response on Thursday, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) reported that
Occupation Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accused Guterres of supporting killings
and kidnappings, claiming that Guterres' term poses a threat to world peace.
The occupation's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, described
Guterres' behavior as a "new moral decadence."
Article 99: What does it mean?
This
marks the first time that Guterres has activated Article 99 of the Charter
since becoming Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2017. UN spokesman
Stephane Dujarric explained that the Secretary-General is using the authority
granted by the Charter in a significant constitutional step.
Article
99, considered the most powerful tool at the Secretary-General's disposal, has
not been activated for decades. Dujarric clarified that previous speeches
highlighted threats to
international peace and security without invoking this
article.
Dujarric
emphasized the nearing complete paralysis of UN humanitarian operations in
Gaza, where approximately 15,000 people and 130 UN workers have been affected.
He expressed hope that the Security Council would heed Guterres' call,
emphasizing the grave danger of a collapse in the humanitarian system with
potentially irreversible effects on Palestinians and regional peace and
security.
The
UN Charter, signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco, became effective on
October 24 of the same year. Article 99 is a crucial component of the Charter,
allowing the Secretary-General to draw attention to situations threatening
international peace and security.
UAE responds
In
response to this alarming situation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) called for
the urgent adoption of a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza for humanitarian
reasons. On Wednesday, the UAE submitted a draft resolution to the Security
Council, emphasizing the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip that may
reach an irreversible point. The UAE Mission to the UN stressed the need for
decisive action by the Council to demand a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons.
Support of the Arab Group and the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation
The
UAE mission highlighted that their draft resolution has the support of the Arab
Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, considering it a moral and
humanitarian necessity. They urged all countries to support the
Secretary-General's call.
US and Israel oppose
However,
the United States and Israel oppose the ceasefire, arguing that it would
benefit Hamas. Instead, the U.S. supports a truce declaration to protect
civilians and facilitate the release of hostages taken by Hamas in the October
7 attack on Israel.
Arab ministers are scheduled to visit
Washington
The
Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, stated that Arab ministers are
scheduled to visit Washington to discuss the draft Security Council resolution
with American officials. He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire, stating
that it must happen immediately.
The
US abstained from voting last month to allow the Security Council to adopt a
resolution calling for pauses in the fighting. The seven-day truce that
followed ended on December 1, during which Hamas released some hostages and
increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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