Guterres warns of collapse of humanitarian system in Gaza Strip

WORLD, Dec. 07 (YPA) – The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, sent an unprecedented message to the Security Council regarding the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, warning of its dangers on a global level.

He also warned that public order in the Gaza Strip is about to collapse completely. Guterres said in his message that the war in Gaza “may exacerbate existing threats to international peace and security.”

The Secretary-General relied on the rarely used Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations, which authorizes him to “draw the attention of the Security Council to any matter that he considers may threaten the protection of international peace and security.” This is the first time that Guterres has used this provision since he took office in 2017.

He said, “We face a grave danger of the collapse of the humanitarian system. The situation is rapidly deteriorating toward a catastrophe that may have irreversible consequences for the Palestinians and for peace and security in the region.”

Guterres explained – in the message he addressed to the 15 member states of the Council – that “with the continuous bombing by Israeli forces, and with the absence of shelters or a minimum level of survival, I expect an imminent complete collapse of public order, due to desperate conditions, which makes it difficult to provide humanitarian assistance.” Impossible, even if limited.

He added, “The situation may become worse with the spread of epidemics and increased pressure for mass movements towards neighboring countries.”

E.M