The ICC's request for leaders of Hamas and Israeli officials receives support in Colombia.

The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has hailed as "a step in the right direction" the request by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against leaders of Hamas in Gaza and senior Israeli officials for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. This measure has been welcomed by the Colombian government, which has expressed its support for the fight against impunity in the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives in the Gaza Strip. In a statement issued through his social media channels, the Colombian president expressed his endorsement of the ICC prosecutor's decision, which includes leaders from both sides of the conflict, thus demonstrating an equitable approach in the application of international justice. Petro emphasized that these actions represent a significant advancement in the pursuit of justice and in condemning violations of international law. The request for arrest warrants submitted by the ICC prosecutor includes prominent leaders of Hamas in Gaza, such as Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al Masri, and Ismail Haniyeh, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. They are accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the context of the conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in an alarming toll of deaths and destruction in the region. The announcement by the ICC comes at a critical moment, as the number of fatalities in the Gaza Strip exceeds 35,500 people and the Israeli Army's offensive intensifies, following over seven months of clashes. The international community has been closely monitoring the events in the region, demanding respect for humanitarian law and an end to the violence that is affecting thousands of civilians amidst the conflict. Gustavo Petro, known for his staunch support of the Palestinian cause, has been critical of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. In the past, the Colombian president announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Israel as a protest measure against what he deemed a "genocide" in Gaza. His stance has sparked controversy on the international stage, particularly considering the commercial relations between Colombia and Israel, which encompass exchanges in sectors such as weaponry, medicine, security, and agricultural products. The ICC's request to issue arrest warrants against Hamas leaders and Israeli officials represents a significant step in the pursuit of justice and in condemning war crimes in the Gaza conflict. The decision by the International Criminal Court is seen as progress in the fight against impunity and in the protection of human rights amidst a conflict that has caused suffering and devastation in the region. The international community hopes that this measure will contribute to holding accountable those responsible for serious violations of international law in Gaza, and that it will promote justice and reconciliation in a context of prolonged and complex conflict.