Before Wednesday’s meeting of Israel’s Security Cabinet, U.S. officials representing President Joe Biden made it clear that Jerusalem must increase humanitarian aid and fuel to Gaza if it wanted Washington to continue vetoing any attempt to advance a decision in the Security Council on ending the war against Hamas.

The American conditions for continued support in the Security Council for the fighting in Gaza were presented to ministers, who initially expressed opposition to the continued supply of fuel, because part of it normally gets diverted to Hamas.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres informed Israel of the activation of Article 99 of the U.N. Charter, according to which “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 light of the activation of the article, the Security Council will convene for a special session on Friday. In addition, the secretary-general tweeted that “there is a serious threat to the humanitarian system in Gaza, and I call on the Security Council to intervene to prevent a catastrophe and to call for a humanitarian ceasefire.”

Israeli diplomatic sources warned: “Halting the ground maneuver at this stage would be a disaster. There is currently no ceasefire deal on the table, and the entire Cabinet’s priority is to continue the ground operation in the Strip, even if it means meeting American demands for the supply of fuel and assistance.”

Previously published by Israel Hayom.