Colombian President Petro urges Israelis to end Lebanon strikes

Colombian President Gustavo Petro urged Israeli citizens on Saturday to pressure their government into halting military strikes on Lebanon, offering strong backing for a recent US-Iran memorandum of understanding while highlighting his nation's current leadership of the UN Security Council.

Backing for US-Iran memorandum

Writing on the social media platform X, Petro emphasized that the diplomatic pact between Washington and Tehran must be upheld by all nations. "The agreement must be respected by all nations," he stated, asserting that the deal represents "more life for the world." The Colombian leader stressed that global powers should rally behind US President Donald Trump to end what he described as a "terrible conflict."

Appeal to Israeli citizens

Petro directly addressed the Israeli population, arguing that civilians should compel their leaders to stop "attacking their neighbors," who he said should be regarded as "brothers and sisters" rather than adversaries. He criticized the Israeli administration for choosing to "continue attacking the sovereign Lebanese Republic" despite recent diplomatic progress aimed at de-escalation. Colombia currently holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, giving Petro's statements added diplomatic weight.

Continued violence in Lebanon

Israeli military operations have persisted in Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement, with occupation forces maintaining positions in southern territories — some held for decades and others seized during recent fighting. According to official figures, Israel's offensive since March 2 has killed more than 4,000 people, injured 11,873 others, and displaced over one million residents. Israeli forces have advanced more than 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Lebanese territory during the latest campaign, according to Anadolu Agency.