South Americans appealed to the ICC for Netanyahu's arrest warrant

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called on the International Criminal Court and the UN Security Council to intervene in preventing what he termed as a "genocide" of Palestinians in the Gazan city of Rafah.

Israel's war cabinet approved an expansion of the military operation in Rafah, despite US threats to reduce military aid. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the offensive.

Petro criticized Netanyahu, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "Netanyahu will not halt the genocide," and called for an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

He further proposed that the UN Security Council should contemplate deploying a peacekeeping force in Gaza.

During a Labor Day speech in Bogota, Petro pledged to sever diplomatic ties with Israel's "genocidal" leadership, expressing solidarity with Gazan Palestinians who have suffered casualties, including children killed by bombs.

Rafah, located in southern Gaza, remains the territory's primary populated area not yet under Israeli control. Over the past few months, hundreds of thousands of internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge there. Israel conducted airstrikes on the city earlier this week, deploying troops and dozens of tanks into the eastern districts in what it termed a "limited" operation.

Various media outlets reported last month that the International Criminal Court (ICC) could potentially charge Netanyahu and several other high-ranking officials with war crimes related to the conflict in Gaza.

As per news website Axios, Netanyahu has requested US President Joe Biden's assistance in halting the ICC's pursuit of him, as well as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi.

Both Republican and Democratic US representatives have cautioned the ICC about potential "consequences" if it proceeds with investigations against Israeli officials. Additionally, a group of Republican lawmakers is reportedly drafting sanctions against the court.