Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Israel Amid Escalating Gaza Conflict

October 12, 2024 — Nicaragua has officially broken diplomatic relations with Israel due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Vice President Rosario Murillo announced on Friday, clarifying that the decision was not aimed at the people of Israel but specifically against its government. Murillo described the move as a form of “repudiation” against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. 

This decision follows comments made by Nicaragua’s Foreign Minister Valdrack Ludwing Jaentschke Whitaker in his speech to the UN General Assembly in late September. Whitaker condemned Israel’s actions, accusing the Israeli government and its allies of committing “genocide” throughout the Middle East. Earlier this year, Nicaragua sought to join a genocide lawsuit filed against Israel at the International Court of Justice by South Africa. Israel, however, has consistently rejected se genocide allegations, maintaining that its military actions are in self-defense and are not aimed at the Palestinian people as a whole. 

The Nicaraguan government’s stance aligns with its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and its opposition to what it describes as Israel’s aggressive policies in the region. 

Thailand Mourns Death of Worker in Israel Amid Cross-Border Tensions 

In a separate development, Thailand expressed deep sorrow over the death of a Thai worker in Israel. The worker was reportedly killed by an anti-tank missile launched from Lebanon, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service. However, the Thai Foreign Ministry disputed this account, suggesting that the worker was killed by an explosion caused by dropped ammunition. 

The Thai Embassy in Israel is closely monitoring the situation, working to evacuate Thai nationals from high-risk areas. Over 10,000 Thai workers were evacuated in months following Hamas attacks in October 2023, where dozens of Thai nationals lost their lives. 

US Secretary of State Reaches Out to Lebanese Officials Amid Heightened Conflict 

As tensions continue to rise, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held separate calls with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri. In conversations, Blinken reiterated US support for diplomatic efforts to resolve conflict across the Blue Line, the UN-established boundary between Israel and Lebanon. He also urged Lebanon to resist the influence of Iran and Hezbollah in destabilizing the region. 

Ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have drawn international criticism, with over 1,400 Lebanese civilians reported dead since the escalation of the conflict. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has remained a central target of Israeli strikes, which Israel claims are focused on eliminating terrorist infrastructure, not the Lebanese state or its citizens. 

Israel Probes Strike That Killed Two Lebanese Soldiers 

The Israeli military is investigating allegations that its airstrikes killed two Lebanese soldiers in the southern village of Kafra. According to the Lebanese army, soldiers were stationed at a base targeted by Israel during its campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Israel, however, maintains that the strike was aimed at Hezbollah militants and expressed uncertainty about the presence of a Lebanese Armed Forces facility in the area. 

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack, calling it a “persistent Israeli crime” against Lebanon and urging the international community to take a stronger stance against Israeli actions. 

US Expands Sanctions on Iranian Energy Sectors in Response to Missile Attacks 

In response to Iran’s missile attack on Israel earlier this month, the United States expanded sanctions on two of Iran’s key energy sectors. Se measures are designed to cut off revenue streams that the US claims Tehran uses to fund proxy militant groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas, which are involved in ongoing conflicts with Israel. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “We are taking steps today to disrupt the flow of revenue the Iranian regime uses to fund its nuclear program and missile development, support terrorist proxies and partners, and perpetuate conflict throughout the Middle East.” 

Thousands Trapped in Gaza as Israeli Ground Offensive Intensifies 

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported that thousands of civilians remain trapped in northern Gaza’s Jabalya refugee camp, despite Israeli warnings to evacuate. Aid workers and residents have reported gunfire and airstrikes along evacuation routes, making it nearly impossible to leave. 

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been conducting a ground operation in the area, claiming that Hamas has been rebuilding its military infrastructure. Despite a year of heavy bombardments,  IDF warned that operations in Gaza would intensify and urged civilians to evacuate to safer areas, though evacuating under such conditions has proven highly dangerous. 

Conclusion 

war between Israel and Gaza continues to spill over into neighboring countries, leading to diplomatic, military, and humanitarian crises across the region. Nicaragua’s diplomatic break with Israel and rising tensions in Lebanon reflect the broader regional and international impact of conflict, while efforts to mediate and bring about peaceful resolutions remain fraught with challenges.