Palestine’s Ambassador to UN, Riyad Mansour has stated that the UN Secretary-General’s decision to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter to force the Security Council (UNSC) to address the situation in Gaza “is the right thing to do.”
Mansour told reporters that it was a “brave and courageous position” by Antonio Guterres, saying that this indicates how “dangerous” things are in Gaza.
Referring to a draft resolution that is expected to be discussed on Friday, December 8, 2023, the Palestinian envoy said, “We sincerely hope that the UNSC adopts this [resolution].”
It was reported that the United Arab Emirates gave the council the brief draft resolution that demands an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
Article 99 of the UN charter states, “the Secretary General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”
In a letter to the Security Council in which Guterres invoked Article 99, he warned that public order in Gaza could soon break down amid the complete collapse of the humanitarian system.
He stated that there was no effective protection of civilians and that “nowhere is safe in Gaza.”
“The situation is fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region,” Guterres wrote.
Also on Thursday, Mansour stated that the situation in Palestine is a real test of the credibility and authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a test it cannot afford to fail.
Speaking at the 22nd Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Mansour emphasized that the Rome Statute, the foundational framework of the ICC, considers millions of children, women, and men as victims of unimaginable atrocities during the current century.
He added that the statute is determined to end the impunity of those committing these crimes and contribute to their deterrence.
Mansour pointed to the ongoing crimes and atrocities committed by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian children, women, and men in the Gaza Strip over the past two months.
He highlighted the daily struggles of Palestinians in Gaza.
The Palestinian diplomat stressed that international criminal law unequivocally rejects justifications for any of these crimes.
He reminded the assembly that Palestine joined the ICC nine years ago, at a time when crimes had been occurring for decades without accountability.
“However, justice has been elusive, and the perpetrators have not been deterred, with not a single arrest warrant issued against any of them.”
The senior diplomat questioned why the international community adopted the Rome Statute if not to protect the very people who continue to suffer.
Mansour outlined Israel’s systematic destruction of all aspects of life in Gaza, unfolding before the eyes of the global community.
He condemned the continued Israeli shelling of Palestinian neighborhoods, targeting hospitals, United Nations shelters, mosques, and churches.
Joint Statement Issued On Gaza’s Deplorable Situation
Over two dozen UN agencies and major NOGs issued a joint statement, describing the crisis in Gaza as amongst the worst they have witnessed.
The statement, issued after representatives from the organizations met in Amman, highlights the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza, the dire lack of food and water there and the breakdown of the medical system.
“No effort is being spared by all humanitarian organisations and agencies engaged in the ongoing relief response; however, the current scale of assistance amounts to only a fraction of escalating needs,” the statement read.
It called for the opening of the Karem Abu Salem border crossing to allow more aid into Gaza and the evacuation of wounded Palestinians to medical facilities outside the Strip.
“Gaza was facing severe humanitarian challenges even before the recent escalation, and the situation now has escalated to unprecedented levels,” it noted.
