Addressing Qatar’s Doha Forum, Guterres expressed regret for the Security Council’s failure to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. He condemned the geostrategic divisions that have, in his words, “paralysed” the world body.
Guterres highlighted the challenges in finding solutions to the Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7.
According to Guterres, the Security Council’s authority and credibility were severely undermined by its delayed response to the conflict.
Just two days after a US veto prevented a resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire, he reiterated his appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire during the Doha Forum.
Despite the setback, Guterres stated, “I can promise, I will not give up.” He had convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, utilizing the rarely-used Article 99 of the United Nations Charter.
This article brings to the council’s attention any matter that, in the secretary-general’s opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security. Notably, this rule had not been invoked by a UN chief in decades.
Guterres warned of a severe risk of the collapse of the humanitarian system, emphasizing that the situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating into a catastrophe.
This, he said, could have potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region.
The Israel-Hamas war was triggered by deadly attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel.
Starting on October 7, militants crossed the border into Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and about 240 people kidnapped, according to Israeli officials.
Guterres emphasized the urgency of addressing the dire humanitarian situation and called for international efforts to prevent further escalation and tragedy in the region.
