With an intensifying Israeli offensive and escalating civilian casualties, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked a rarely exercised power this week to warn the Security Council of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza. He also urged members to demand an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. Guterres invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter — last used over half a century ago. Here’s what that means.
What to know:
- What is Article 99? The article is a provision of the United Nations Charter, the U.N. constitution. It states that the secretary-general — the U.N.’s top diplomat — may bring to the attention of the Security Council “any matter which, in his opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”
- How likely is this to have an effect? Arab and Islamic nations followed up on Guterres’ letter immediately, with the United Arab Emirates representative circulating a resolution to Security Council members calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. The United States, which is Israel’s closest ally, has not supported a cease-fire and could veto the resolution.
- Then why invoke it? Because Guterres believes that the humanitarian systems in Gaza are collapsing. Guterres said the situation could get even worse, pointing to possible epidemics and the mass displacement of Palestinians into neighboring countries in a looming disaster.
