Bolivia “decided to break diplomatic relations with the Israeli state in repudiation and condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive taking place in the Gaza Strip,” Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani stated at a press convention.

The three international locations referred to as for a ceasefire, with Bolivia and Chile pushing for the passage of humanitarian help into the zone and accusing Israel of violating worldwide legislation.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro referred to as the assaults a “massacre of the Palestinian people” in a put up on the social media community X, previously referred to as Twitter.

Israel’s overseas ministry didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

Other Latin American international locations, equivalent to Mexico and Brazil, have additionally referred to as for a ceasefire.

“What we have now is the insanity of Israel’s prime minister, who wants to wipe out the Gaza Strip,” stated Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday.

Bolivia is among the many first international locations to actively break diplomatic relations with Israel over its conflict in Gaza, retaliation for an Oct. 7 assault in southern Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants who Israel says killed 1,400 individuals, together with youngsters, and took 240 individuals hostage.

Bolivia reduce diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009 beneath the federal government of leftist President Evo Morales, additionally in protest towards Israel’s actions in Gaza.

In 2020, the federal government of right-wing interim President Jeanine Anez reestablished ties.

“We reject the war crimes being committed in Gaza. We support international initiatives to guarantee humanitarian aid, in compliance with international law,” Bolivian President Arce stated on social media on Monday.

Gaza well being authorities say that 8,525 individuals, together with 3,542 youngsters, have been killed in Israeli assaults since Oct. 7. U.N. officers say greater than 1.4 million of Gaza’s civilian inhabitants of about 2.3 million have been made homeless.

The Israel army has accused Iran-backed Hamas, which guidelines the slender coastal territory, of utilizing civilian buildings as cowl for fighters, commanders and weaponry, accusations it denies. (Reporting by Daniel Ramos; Additional reporting by Gabriel Araujo, Lucinda Elliott, Oliver Griffin and Peter Frontini; Writing by Brendan O’Boyle and Kylie Madry; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien and Stephen Coates)