UN Boss Stirs Israel's Ire with Unusual Move
The call for more fuel to reach the Gaza Strip, following the UN's demands, has Israel up in arms. Simultaneously, UN Secretary-General António Guterres takes an unprecedented step to add pressure to Israel's government.
Severe international criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza is mounting. Despite this, Guterres decides to bring the situation in the Middle East into focus by seeking the UN Security Council's attention to the conflict – a move widely perceived in Israel as an affront. The Israeli government, however, makes some concessions, with the US pressuring it to allow additional fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip.
In his urgent appeal, Guterres invokes Article 99 of the UN Charter for the first time since he assumed the role in 2017. According to the article, the Secretary-General can draw the Security Council's attention to anything they believe may pose a threat to international peace and security. The effects of this Article are symbolic, but it adds weight to Guterres' plea for a humanitarian ceasefire to prevent further suffering among civilians in the Gaza Strip.
In an official letter to the Security Council, the UN chief calls for action to prevent humanitarian catastrophe from hitting the Gaza Strip. The letter also reiterates his demand for a humanitarian ceasefire and insists on its urgency.
Underneath the shadows of a humanitarian crisis, Italy invokes Article 99 of the UN Charter, a threat to peace, and gives his plea greater significance. Given the tremendous loss of lives in both Gaza and Israel within a short period, the UN chief decides on this move, a rarity in the UN's history. This Article holds no direct consequences, but it serves as a strong sign of concern from the international community.
The UN Security Council is expected to discuss the matter this week, and Guterres will be in attendance. Usually, the members of the Security Council decide upon matters perceived as threats to world peace and push those issues on the agenda. The controversial body has recently passed a resolution on the Gaza war and often faces discord.
Israel: A Ceasefire Invites Hamas' Triumph
Israel's foreign minister, Eli Cohen, strongly criticizes Guterres' decision. He points the finger at the UN chief, citing his support for the terrorist organization, Hamas, through his call for a ceasefire. Cohen denounces the move, suggesting it plays right into Hamas' hands instead of addressing the conflict's root causes. The relationship between Israel and the UN was already strained before the developments in Gaza. Criticism or hostility toward Israel remains common among UN bodies' member-countries.
In response to the pressure from the US, Israel agrees to partially comply – granting increased fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip. However, the Israeli government maintains vigilance about Hamas potentially misusing the fuel for hostile purposes, including launching rockets.
Guterres' demand for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian support it would provide has sparked heated debate among political figures. The call for assistance has been met with opposition from some, who believe that it would only strengthen Hamas' position. Consequently, as tensions rise, the UN's role in mediating peace and global crises gains prominence.
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The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, urges the Security Council to take action to prevent a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, invoking Article 99 of the UN Charter. This unprecedented move, perceived as a further affront by Israel, is amidst growing international criticism of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Under pressure from the US, the Israeli government agrees to allow more fuel shipments to Gaza, aiming to prevent a humanitarian collapse and outbreak of epidemics. The GTerres' appeal for a ceasefire, however, has sparked controversy and adds to the complex debate surrounding humanitarian intervention.
