Washington: Israel and Bolivia have officially restored diplomatic relations after a two-year hiatus, following a severance over the conflict in Gaza. This development was confirmed by a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and his Bolivian counterpart Fernando Aramayo signed a joint declaration in Washington on Tuesday, marking the formal reestablishment of ties between the two nations. The move signals a significant shift in diplomatic relations, with ambassadors expected to be appointed soon, as noted by Saar.

The renewal of diplomatic ties comes on the heels of Bolivia's recent policy changes under the leadership of center-right President Rodrigo Paz, who took office in November. These changes include the removal of visa requirements for US and Israeli citizens, a move announced last week.

Bolivia initially severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009 in response to Israeli military actions in Gaza during 2008-2009. Although relations were briefly restored in 2019, they were once again suspended in 2023 due to allegations of Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

The restoration of ties between Israel and Bolivia stands out in a regional context where several Latin American countries, including Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Belize, and Nicaragua, have severed or downgraded ties with Israel. This was in protest against what they termed as Israel's genocidal actions in Gaza.

Since October 2023, the Israeli army's operations in Gaza have resulted in over 70,000 deaths, predominantly affecting women and children, with more than 171,000 others injured. The assault has left the enclave devastated, contributing to the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.