The prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahuasked the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petroto intercede for the release of the more than 100 hostages held by the Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Stripamong whom is the Colombian citizen Elkana Bohbotaccording to local media.
“As a country that has citizens among the 136 hostages held by the terrorists of Hamas in Loop, Colombia has a common cause with Israel to strive for the immediate and unconditional release of those held in terrible circumstances since the past October 7”says Netanyahu.
In a letter, dated January 11 but published this Thursday by Colombian media such as public television RTVC, the Israeli prime minister assures Gustavo Petroa staunch defender of the Palestinian cause, who “The horrors that the hostages have suffered by their Hamas captors increase the walking nightmare that their families and loved ones carry”.
“I therefore appeal to you to make every effort to secure the release of Elkana and the 135 others held in Hamas’ tunnels of terror.“, points out Benjamin Netanyahu in the letter, to which there is still no known response from the Colombian president or any member of his cabinet.
MORE INFORMATION: Why does the truce fail to materialize in Gaza and what is at stake for Israel?
Fighting in Gaza left 200 dead and 370 injured over the past 24 hours, raising the toll in the Strip to 25,900 dead and 64,110 injured since the war broke out on October 7, following a Hamas attack on Israel that left some 1,200 dead and 250 hostages.
Added to the number of dead and injured in Gaza are some 8,000 missing under the rubble or on the roads, and almost two million displaced people who are experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
