La Paz, Bolivia - In a strong condemnation of Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip, Bolivia have officially broken diplomatic ties with the country. The Bolivian government accuses Israel of committing crimes against humanity in their attacks on the Palestinian people.

The decision to sever diplomatic relations was announced by Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani at a press conference in La Paz. Mamani stated that Bolivia made this decision in repudiation and condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate military offensive by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Interim Foreign Minister Maria Nela Prada supported the decision, emphasizing that it was in reference to the crimes against humanity being committed in the Gaza Strip. Bolivia is among the first countries to actively take such action in response to Israel's war in Gaza, triggered by an attack by Palestinian Hamas militants on October 7.

This is not the first time Bolivia has cut diplomatic ties with Israel. The South American country previously took this step in 2009 under the presidency of Evo Morales, also as a protest against Israel's actions in Gaza.

Coinciding with Bolivia's decision, former President Evo Morales took to social media to pressure current President Luis Arce to condemn Israel and label it as a terrorist state. President Arce, in response, met with the Palestinian ambassador to Bolivia, showing his support for the Palestinian cause.

On social media, Arce expressed his rejection of the war crimes being committed in Gaza and his support for international initiatives to ensure humanitarian aid and compliance with international law.

According to Gaza health authorities, the Israeli attacks since October 7 have resulted in the death of 8,525 people, including 3,542 children. The United Nations has reported that over 1.4 million of Gaza's civilian population, out of approximately 2.3 million, have been displaced from their homes.

Bolivia's decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel sends a strong message of solidarity with the Palestinian people and adds to the mounting international pressure on Israel to halt its military offensive and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza.