The UN secretary-general invoked ‘Article 99′ to push for a Gaza cease-fire. What exactly is it?

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The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, recently employed a seldom-used authority, “Article 99,” to urge the Security Council to intervene in the escalating crisis in Gaza. This action, a response to the increasing Israeli offensive and rising civilian casualties, is intended to prevent a “humanitarian catastrophe” in the region. Guterres’s call for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire marks the first invocation of Article 99 in over 50 years, a measure used last during the 1971 conflict that led to Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan.

Article 99 of the United Nations Charter authorizes the Secretary-General to alert the Security Council to any situation potentially threatening global peace and security. This power grants the Secretary-General a significant role in international diplomacy, complementing the influence of the U.N.’s 193 member nations and the 15-member Security Council.

Guterres’s decision to invoke Article 99 reflects his concern over the impending collapse of Gaza’s humanitarian and civil systems, necessitating urgent international attention. The Arab and Islamic nations promptly responded to his call, with the United Arab Emirates proposing a Security Council resolution for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire.

However, the United States, a staunch ally of Israel with veto power in the Security Council, has expressed reluctance to support a cease-fire, citing ongoing diplomatic efforts. This stance raises questions about the potential impact of the resolution and the likelihood of a U.S. veto.

Guterres justifies his use of Article 99 by highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with the constant bombardment by Israeli forces leading to a possible breakdown of public order and rendering humanitarian assistance challenging. He also warns of potential epidemics and mass displacement of Palestinians, painting a bleak picture of the crisis.

Historically, previous U.N. Secretaries-General have brought critical issues to the Security Council’s attention without explicitly invoking Article 99. These instances include the Congo crisis in 1960, the U.S. hostage situation in Iran in 1979, the Iran-Iraq war in 1980, and the situation in Myanmar in 2017. The reasons for not using Article 99 in these situations remain unclear, particularly as several former Secretaries-General are deceased. Guterres, however, has been vocal about the attacks by Hamas on Israel and the high Palestinian civilian death toll in Gaza, underscoring his active engagement in addressing the crisis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Article 99 Gaza Cease-Fire

More about Article 99 Gaza Cease-Fire

• United Nations Charter Article 99
• Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
• Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Update
• U.S. Position on Gaza Cease-Fire
• History of Article 99 in UN Diplomacy
• Impact of Gaza Bombardment on Civilians