António Guterres Invokes Rarely Used Power , to Demand Cease-Fire in Middle East.<br />The U.N. secretary-general invoked power <br />under Article 99 on Dec. 6, Fox News reports. .<br />Article 99 permits Guterres to "bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.".<br />Guterres published a letter to security council members calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.<br />Guterres published a letter to security council members calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.<br />I am writing under Article 99 of the <br />United Nations Charter to bring to <br />the attention of the Security Council a <br />matter which, in my opinion, may aggravate <br />existing threats to the maintenance <br />of international peace and security, António Guterres, U.N. secretary-general, <br />via letter calling for cease-fire.<br />We are facing a severe risk of collapse <br />of the humanitarian system. , António Guterres, U.N. secretary-general, <br />via letter calling for cease-fire.<br />The situation is fast deteriorating into a <br />catastrophe with potentially irreversible <br />implications for Palestinians as a whole and <br />for peace and security in the region. Such an <br />outcome must be avoided at all cost, António Guterres, U.N. secretary-general, <br />via letter calling for cease-fire.<br />Guterres went on to call for the <br />release of all hostages as well.<br />The international community has <br />a responsibility to use all its <br />influence to prevent further <br />escalation and end this crisis, António Guterres, U.N. secretary-general, <br />via letter calling for cease-fire.<br />I urge the members of the Security Council <br />to press to avert a humanitarian crisis. <br />I reiterate my appeal for a humanitarian <br />cease-fire to be declared. This is urgent, António Guterres, U.N. secretary-general, <br />via letter calling for cease-fire.<br />The civilian population must be spared from <br />greater harm. With a humanitarian cease-fire, <br />the means of survival can be restored, and <br />humanitarian assistance can be delivered in a <br />safe and timely manner across the Gaza Strip, António Guterres, U.N. secretary-general, <br />via letter calling for cease-fire.<br />Fox News reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said that his country will assume security control of Gaza even after the war, which could cause a rift with President Biden.<br />Fox News reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said that his country will assume security control of Gaza even after the war, which could cause a rift with President Biden.<br />Fox News reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said that his country will assume security control of Gaza even after the war, which could cause a rift with President Biden