Security Council Meets on Situation in Middle East, Including Palestinian Question

Secretary-General António Guterres (centre at table) addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The Council met on a Letter dated 6 December 2023 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. At right at table is José Javier De la Gasca LopezDomínguez, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of December.

"We are at a breaking point," said the Secretary-General, and continued, "There is a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza, which would have devastating consequences. We anticipate that it would result in a complete breakdown of public order and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt. I fear the consequences could be devastating for the security of the entire region."

The letter invokes Article 99 of the UN Charter and calls on the Security Council to act on the situation in Gaza. "More than eight weeks of hostilities in Gaza and Israel have created appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory," the letter states. Under Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations 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.