Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called on the International Criminal Court and the UN Security Council to intervene and prevent what he describes as a “genocide” of the Palestinian people in Rafah, Gaza.
Despite threats from the US to cut military aid, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a “measured expansion” of the military operation in Rafah.
President Petro criticized Netanyahu’s declaration, stating that he believes an international arrest warrant from the ICC is necessary. He also suggested that the UN Security Council should consider deploying a peacekeeping force in Gaza.
President Petro has previously expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and vowed to sever diplomatic relations with Israel’s leadership, which he considers “genocidal.” Rafah, the last major population center in southern Gaza not under Israeli control, has become a refuge for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced Palestinians.
The ICC has been reportedly considering charging Netanyahu and other Israeli officials with war crimes, prompting Netanyahu to seek US intervention to halt the ICC’s pursuit. US representatives from both parties have warned the ICC of potential consequences and some Republican lawmakers are reportedly working on sanctions against the court.
Israel initiated a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza after the militant group’s lethal incursion on October 7, which resulted in the loss of more than 1,200 lives and the capture of numerous Israelis.
As per the health authorities under Hamas control, the subsequent operation conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has led to the deaths of approximately 35,000 Palestinians, predominantly innocent civilians. In January, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the United Nations issued a ruling stating that there is a reasonable possibility that the Israeli military has engaged in acts of genocide within the densely populated Palestinian enclave.
