Humanitarian crisis in Gaza sparks UN action
In response to mounting pressure from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the UN Security Council is set to convene today to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after eight weeks of conflict, reports AFP.
Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, allowing any issue threatening international law, peace, and security to be brought before the council—a provision unused for decades.
Against a backdrop of relentless Israeli Defense Forces bombardment, the situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating. The lack of shelter and essential supplies makes survival impossible, and public order is at risk, warned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
In reaction, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen declared Guterres' mandate a threat to global peace after invoking Article 99, as reported by Digi24.ro.
It is worth noting that the United Arab Emirates has prepared a resolution project to be voted on today, as reported by Agence France-Presse. The document describes the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "catastrophic" and calls for immediate humanitarian intervention to cease hostilities. It also demands the protection of civilians, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the facilitation of humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
Simultaneously, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken strongly criticised Israel for the killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Prior to Israel expanding its ground offensive throughout the Gaza Strip, U.S. officials urged the Netanyahu government to limit civilian casualties, cautioning that "too many Palestinians are being killed in operations against Hamas."
Furthermore, two months into the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu openly threatens Lebanon. During a visit to troops deployed in the north, the Israeli Prime Minister warned Beirut that it would suffer the fate of the Gaza Strip if it chooses to engage in war.
Four previous resolutions presented since the outbreak of the war have been rejected by the UN Security Council.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
