Colombia to sever relations with Israel

BOGOTA — Colombia would sever diplomatic relations with Israel effective on Thursday, President Gustavo Petro said on Wednesday, referring to the Israeli government as "genocidal".

"The era of genocide, of the extermination of an entire people before our eyes, before our humanity, cannot return," he said, adding that if Palestine dies, humanity dies.

Hamas on Wednesday hailed Colombia's decision as a "victory".

"We greatly appreciate the position of Colombian President Gustavo Petro ... which we consider a victory for the sacrifices of our people and their just cause," Hamas said, calling for other countries in Latin America to follow suit.

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz denounced the decision.

"Relations between Israel and Colombia have always been warm, and no antisemitic and hate-filled president can change that," he said on social media platform X.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and voiced the US opposition to the Israeli plan to launch a large-scale ground assault on Rafah.

Israel would not agree to a deal that would force an end to its operation against Hamas in Gaza, the Prime Minister's Office said.

Hamas said on Thursday it will send a delegation to Cairo as soon as possible to continue cease-fire talks, in response to Egypt's latest proposal.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh had affirmed the group's "positive spirit in studying the cease-fire proposal "in a phone call with Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, a statement said. It did not say when the delegation would travel.