United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday invoked Article 99 of the UN charter for the first time, citing a “severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza,” as the war rages on between Israel and militant group Hamas.
In a letter to José Javier De la Gasca Lopez Domínguez, the current UN Security Council President, Gutteres said he expects “public order to completely break down due to desperate conditions, rendering even limited humanitarian assistance impossible.”
The invocation of Article 99 allows the UN secretary-general to bring the attention of the security council to “any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security,” per the UN.
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Guterres warned of an “even worse” situation unfolding in the besieged territory, including epidemic diseases and an increase in pressure to send displaced civilians to surrounding countries. The letter marks a rare and significant move by the UN chief, who has repeatedly called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas amidst the rising death toll and destruction of Gaza, which has been ruled by Hamas since 2007.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has voiced strong support for Guterres, over his unprecedented step.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X, “I support Secretary-General Guterres’ letter to the UN. Security Council, invoking Article 99 and appealing for a ceasefire. Gaza’s health system is on its knees and near total collapse. We need peace for health.”
“Gaza cannot afford to lose any more hospitals… and yet another one is on verge of closing. Kamal Adwan Hospital, in northern Gaza, has reportedly come to a virtual halt, with only 20 patients still getting care,” Ghebreyesus added.