UN Chief Utilizes Constitutional Power to Advocate for Israel-Hamas Cease-fire

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, a rarely used clause, to push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Guterres warned the Security Council of the urgent need to prevent a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza, emphasizing the appalling suffering caused by two months of war. This move has sparked tensions between Guterres and Israeli officials, with the Israeli Foreign Minister accusing him of supporting Hamas. Guterres hopes that invoking Article 99 will increase pressure on the Security Council and the international community to demand a cease-fire. So far, the Security Council has not adopted a resolution calling for a cease-fire, with the US using its veto power to block a previous resolution.