The United Nations chief is urging the U.N. Security Council to use its clout to avert “a humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the fast-deteriorating humanitarian system now risks a total collapse.
Quick Read
- UN Chief’s Appeal for Gaza: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging the U.N. Security Council to intervene to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
- Risk of Humanitarian System Collapse: Guterres highlighted the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, warning of a potential total collapse.
- Call for Humanitarian Cease-Fire: He reiterated the urgent need for a cease-fire to provide relief to Palestinians in Gaza, who lack shelter and basic survival necessities.
- Concerns of Public Order Breakdown: The Secretary-General warned that Israel’s continued bombardment could soon lead to a complete breakdown of public order in Gaza.
- First Use of Article 99: Guterres used Article 99 of the U.N. Charter for the first time since his tenure began in 2017, to bring the situation in Gaza to the Security Council’s attention as a threat to international peace and security.
- Impact on Humanitarian Assistance: The desperate conditions and public order breakdown in Gaza could render humanitarian assistance efforts impossible.
- Potential Escalation of Crisis: Guterres cautioned about the risk of epidemic diseases and mass displacement into neighboring countries if the situation worsens.
- International Community’s Responsibility: He emphasized the global community’s responsibility to use its influence to halt further escalation and resolve the crisis.
The Associated Press has the story:
UN Chief: Fast-deteriorating humanitarian system in Gaza risks a total collapse
Newslooks- UNITED NATIONS (AP)
The United Nations chief is urging the U.N. Security Council to use its clout to avert “a humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the fast-deteriorating humanitarian system now risks a total collapse.
He reiterated his urgent call for a humanitarian cease-fire. He warned that Israel’s bombardment of Palestinians in Gaza, who have no shelter or essentials to survive, will soon lead to a complete breakdown of public order.
Guterres wrote to the 15-member Security Council on Wednesday under Article 99 of the U.N. Charter for the first time since he took the helm of the 193-member world body in 2017. It allows the secretary-general to bring to the council’s attention any matter that he believes threatens international peace and security.
Guterres said the desperate conditions in Gaza and the breakdown of public order will make humanitarian assistance impossible. He warned that “an even worse situation could unfold, including epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into neighboring countries.”
“The international community has a responsibility to use all its influence to prevent further escalation and end this crisis,” Guterres said.
