Nicaragua announced on Friday that it is severing diplomatic ties with Israel, labeling the Israeli government as "fascist" and "genocidal."

The decision, according to the Nicaraguan government, stems from Israel’s ongoing military actions against Palestinian territories.

PHOTO | COURTESY Nicaragua 

Earlier in the day, Nicaragua's congress had passed a resolution urging the government to take action, aligning with the first anniversary of the Gaza conflict.

The statement from Nicaragua also expressed concerns that the violence has now spread beyond Palestine, affecting Lebanon and posing severe threats to countries like Syria, Yemen, and Iran.

The Middle East remains on edge as fears of further escalation grow. On October 1, Iran fired a series of missiles at Israel, raising tensions.

PHOTO | COURTESY Nicaragua 

Iran, a vital ally of the Nicaraguan government under President Daniel Ortega, also supports Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon that recent Israeli airstrikes have targeted.

In recent years, Nicaragua has faced increasing global isolation, particularly following President Ortega’s harsh response to anti-government protests in 2018, which human rights organizations report left around 300 people dead.