Colombian President ties hostage Elhana Bohbot's fate to Palestinian solidarity 

Colombian President Gustavo Petro took to social media site X on Saturday to comment on the recently received sign of life from Colombian-Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot, currently held in Gaza. In his post, Petro linked Bohbot’s potential release to Colombia’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, according to a report by Kan 11 News.

Bohbot is among several hostages for whom new signs of life emerged as part of the ongoing hostage deal. However, his release is contingent on the agreement advancing beyond its initial stage.

“Information has been obtained regarding the condition of Colombian-Israeli citizen Elkana Bohbot,” Petro wrote. “We hope for his imminent release. His freedom is a tribute to Colombia and its solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Petro, who was visiting a hospital for Gazan children in Qatar, further discussed his trip in the post and referred to Israel’s actions in Gaza as "genocide" twice. He also shared a video from his visit featuring a map that labeled all of Israel as “Palestine.”

A vocal critic of Israel’s military operations, Petro severed Colombia’s diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024 over its response to the October 7 Hamas attack. He later announced the opening of an embassy in Ramallah and suspended coal exports to Israel, vowing they would only resume once “the genocide” in Gaza ended.

Petro has also echoed controversial rhetoric on the conflict, previously supporting remarks by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to Nazi Germany’s atrocities against Jews during World War II.