In a dramatic escalation of international diplomatic efforts, officials from 30 countries are convening in Bogotá, Colombia, for a two-day emergency summit aimed at halting what many are calling a genocide in Gaza. This urgent gathering, spearheaded by the Hay Group—a coalition of nations from the global south led by Colombia and South Africa—promises to shift from mere condemnation to decisive action against Israel’s military aggression.

As tensions soar, the summit is a response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with participants including representatives from China, Spain, Mexico, and Qatar. Key discussions will focus on enforcing the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, halting arms transfers to Israel, and blocking maritime access for vessels linked to Israel’s military operations.

Among the prominent voices at the summit is UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanz, who condemned the complicity of the United States in the ongoing crisis, arguing that U.S. foreign policy has tacitly supported the displacement of Palestinians for decades. “The time has come for nations to take bold steps,” Albanz declared, urging countries to sever economic ties with Israel and take a stand for international law.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN welcomed the summit’s focus on actionable steps, emphasizing that the time for hesitation is over. “This journey has to start,” he stated, highlighting the moral imperative for nations to act decisively in the face of such suffering.

As the world watches, this summit could mark a pivotal moment in international relations, potentially reshaping the global response to the crisis in Gaza. While it may not immediately end the conflict, it could lay the groundwork for a more unified and forceful international stance against Israel’s actions. The urgency is palpable as leaders prepare to confront one of the most serious moral challenges of our time.