UN Chief urges Security Council to take action after worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza

New Delhi, Dec 7: As the conflict in Gaza completes two months, the situation is described as nearing apocalyptic, with hundreds of thousands of people concentrated in a shrinking area in the south. The intensification of the fighting has rendered meaningful humanitarian efforts nearly impossible, exacerbating the plight of the affected population.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invoked a rarely-used power under the UN charter, urging the Security Council to take action on the Gaza war. Despite this plea, the Council has yet to endorse any resolution calling for a comprehensive ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza has become a focal point of heavy fighting, with Israeli tanks surrounding the area. Thousands of people remain in the camp without access to a functioning hospital, exposing them to the imminent risk of starvation. No aid has reached the northern region since the humanitarian truce concluded at the beginning of December.

Al Jazeera reported the loss of 22 family members of one of its journalists, Momen Al-Sharafi, in an Israeli attack on the Jabalia refugee camp. The strike, which occurred on December 6, targeted the house where Al-Sharafi's family sought shelter, resulting in multiple casualties.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has declared Israel's bombardment of Gaza as the deadliest for journalists since 1992. Israel contends that Hamas has a stronghold in the Jabalia refugee camp, reporting the capture of a main Hamas outpost in the area, complete with tunnels and weapons.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) assert their continued fight against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, including in Khan Younis, targeting numerous terror-related sites. Despite these military actions, the UN emphasises its commitment to saving lives and denies accusations of bias in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

UN CHIEF INVOKES UN CHARTER ARTICLE 99 WORSENING GAZA SITUATION

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has taken an unprecedented step by invoking Article 99 of the UN Charter, addressing the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This move, a first during his tenure, underscores the severity of the situation and the risk of a collapse in the humanitarian system in Gaza. Guterres urgently appealed to the Security Council for a declaration of a humanitarian ceasefire.

Article 99, located in Chapter XV of the UN Charter, allows the UN chief to draw attention to any matter threatening international peace and security. Guterres considers this a "dramatic constitutional move" due to the urgency of the situation.

Following the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas militants and subsequent Israeli offensive, the Security Council passed a resolution in mid-November, calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses" after multiple failed attempts to find consensus.

Despite a brief pause in hostilities, fighting resumed on December 1, leading Guterres to express deep regret. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described this invocation as the "most important" by the Secretary-General, emphasizing its potential to press the Security Council and the international community to demand a ceasefire.

In his letter to the Security Council President, Guterres highlighted the devastating toll of the conflict, expressing regret over the resumption of hostilities. He pointed to significant loss of life, including 33 children, and the continued captivity of 130 individuals. Hospitals have become battlegrounds, with over 15,000 casualties reported, 40% of whom are children. About 80% of Gazans are displaced, seeking refuge in UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) shelters.

The Secretary-General warned of the breakdown of public order without shelter and essential supplies, anticipating a severe risk of the humanitarian system collapsing. He urgently appealed for a humanitarian ceasefire, emphasizing the need to spare the civilian population from further harm and highlighting the potential for hope and aid delivery with a ceasefire in place.

The use of Article 99 underscores the gravity of the situation, and the Secretary-General's call for prompt and decisive action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza awaits the Security Council's response.

As the international community grapples with the deepening crisis in Gaza, the invocation of this UN charter article reflects the gravity of the situation and the imperative for urgent, collective action to address the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.

WHO RAISES ALARM OVER CONTAGIOUS DISEASES

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating risk of contagious diseases in Gaza, where displaced Palestinians grapple with survival challenges amidst relentless bombardment by Israel.

Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative for the West Bank and Gaza, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating conditions, stating that displaced individuals are resorting to "scavenging for sheets, for wood, for everything." He emphasised the heightened fear of infectious diseases, particularly waterborne illnesses, as the water situation is deemed "incredibly critical everywhere."

Painting a grim picture, Dr Peeperkorn highlighted the overcrowded conditions at Al-Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which is currently accommodating thousands of patients despite having a capacity for only 350. Describing the trauma ward as resembling a "war zone," he recounted the distressing scene of many trauma patients lying on the floor, with scared family members in a state of panic.

The WHO's alert underscores the urgent need for international attention and support to address the growing health crisis in Gaza, where the combination of displacement, limited resources, and the trauma of conflict poses a severe threat to public health. The organization emphasizes the critical importance of swift and coordinated efforts to prevent the outbreak of contagious diseases and mitigate the impact on
the already vulnerable population.