BOGOTA [Colombia], Colombia President Gustavo Petro has announced his intention to break diplomatic relations with Israel over its actions in the Gaza Strip, a move criticized by human rights advocates and experts who warn of the possibility of genocide. Al Jazeera reported Addressing a gathering on International Workers' Day in Bogotá, Petro stressed the need for countries to take a proactive stance in response to the growing crisis in Gaza "Here before you, the Government of Change, the President of the Republic Announcing that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the State of Israel... for having a government, for having a president who commits genocide,'' declared Petro A firm leader of the leftist faction, President Petro Latin American Has emerged as a prominent figure on the political scene, aligning himself with the progressive wave known as the "pink tide". Since taking office in 2022, he has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions. , particularly in the context of the Gaza war, as reported by Al Jazeera. The rift between Colombia and Israel deepened in October after Petro condemned Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant. Rhetoric that drew comparisons to that of the Nazis. Petro drew sharp criticism after Gallant described Gazans as "human animals" during a period of escalated conflict, resulting in Israel halting security exports to Colombia.Subsequently, Petro increased his criticism and accused Israel of committing genocide in the besieged Palestinian territory. Such allegations were strongly condemned by Israeli officials and pro-Israel groups, straining bilateral relations. In a significant move, Colombia suspended its purchases of Israeli arms in February, citing concerns over the use of force against Palestinians in Gaza Petro drew poignant parallels. Referring to the possibility of a holocaust, he described the Israeli action as a reminder of historical atrocities. The latest announcement from the Colombian president comes amid growing fears over the possibility of an Israeli ground attack on the Gaza Strip's southern city of Rafah.UN chief Antonio Guterres has cautioned against such an escalation and warned of serious consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire. The death toll in the conflict is staggering, with more than 34,500 Palestinians killed so far in Israeli military strikes. The Gaza Strip is suffering a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, which has been exacerbated by continued violence and severe siege measures. Experts warn of impending famine, underscoring the urgency to address the plight of the enclave's residents Israel's reaction to Colombia's decision to sever diplomatic ties remains elusive, according to Al Jazeera, with the government declining to immediately comment. Avoids. However, Colombia's pursuit of justice goes beyond mere diplomatic gestures, as it seeks reparations through international legal avenues. In early April, the Colombian government petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to join a case, In which Israel was accused of committing genocide against Palestinians., This step underlines Colombia's commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of vulnerable populations in Gaza, especially women, children with disabilities and the elderly. The ICJ's decision in January, acknowledging the potential risk of genocide by Palestinians in Gaza, lends credence to this. Colombia's accountability quest The findings of UN Special Envoy Francesca Albanese have further confirmed their concerns, highlighting the serious nature of Israel's attack on Gaza and its devastating impact on Palestinian life. Israel has vehemently denied genocide allegations, and dismissed Albanese's report as a distortion of reality. Yet, amid mounting evidence and international scrutiny, the pursuit of justice for victims of the Gaza conflict remains an urgent imperative on the global stage, Al Jazeera reported.