UN Secy General Guterrs invokes article 99 calling Council to appeal for ceasefire

Kathmandu, 08 Dec: Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary General, has for the first time in his tenure invoked Article 99 urging the UN Security Council to appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing Israel, Hamas war, according to Al Jazeera.

Article 99 of the UN charter allows the secretary general to “bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”

The rare move on Wednesday comes as the 15-member Security Council is yet to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel, Hamas and their allies, said Al Jazzera adding Guterres said the Security council’s continued lack of action and the sharp deterioration of the situation in Gaza had compelled him to invoke Article 99.