Colombian president lambastes Israel's use of white phosphorus bombs

BOGOTA, Colombia

Colombia's president on Thursday decried Israel's use of white phosphorus bombs in Gaza.

Gustavo Petro shared footage on X of Israel using a white phosphorus bomb in Gaza, and said: "The bomb you see in the video is made of white phosphorus. It sticks to the skin, penetrates bones, and kills in excruciating pain. The Israeli State dropped it."

Petro, stating that the use of white phosphorous bombs constitutes a war crime under international law, remarked: "There are children playing down below. The area where the bomb was dropped belongs to the UN."

"International law is not arbitrary and binds all nations worldwide. War criminals, regardless of their religion, ideology, or nationality, should be prosecuted and imprisoned," he said.

On Oct. 31, Petro strongly criticized Israel's bombings of hospitals and schools, calling it genocide and accusing Israel's leader of committing a crime against humanity. He also accused Israel's allies of not promoting democracy.

This week Petro and Chilean President Gabriel Boric recalled their Tel Aviv ambassadors for consultations due to Israel's ongoing attacks in Gaza.

Petro on Oct. 20 announced his intention to open an embassy in Ramallah, in the West Bank, following his meetings with the Israeli and Palestinian embassies in Bogota.

Bolivia's presidential spokesperson Maria Nela Prada and Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani also recently announced the decision to cut diplomatic ties with Israel.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Nearly 10,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 9,227 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.