Bogota: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has expressed approval of a significant international agreement reached in Colombia, aimed at imposing sanctions on Israel due to its ongoing actions in Gaza. The agreement was finalized during an emergency summit in Bogota, attended by representatives from over 20 countries, who gathered to address Israel’s activities in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
According to TRTworld.com, the agreement requires participating nations to implement coordinated measures, including a complete ban on exporting or transferring weapons, ammunition, military fuel, and dual-use materials to Israel. It also involves restricting vessels suspected of carrying military equipment to Israel by denying them entry to national ports or access to logistical services.
In its statement, Hamas highlighted the agreement’s concrete steps, such as halting arms transfers to Israel, reviewing bilateral treaties, and facilitating international investigations into alleged war crimes. Hamas praised the agreement as a bold stance against the siege and the hardships faced by Palestinians in Gaza.
The summit also included delegations from Turkey, Brazil, Portugal, Algeria, Lebanon, Oman, Uruguay, Bangladesh, Chile, Djibouti, Indonesia, Nicaragua, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, alongside Palestinian representatives.
Israel’s actions in Gaza have resulted in nearly 59,000 Palestinian casualties, primarily women and children, according to Palestine’s official WAFA news agency. Additionally, approximately 11,000 Palestinians are believed to be buried under the rubble of destroyed homes. Experts suggest that the actual death toll may be significantly higher, potentially reaching around 200,000.
Throughout the conflict, Israel has devastated much of Gaza and displaced nearly its entire population. Furthermore, humanitarian aid has been obstructed, with only a controversial US-backed aid group being allowed entry. This group was established to bypass UN aid efforts and has been criticized as a “death trap.”
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its actions in the enclave.