Nicaragua has declared the severing of diplomatic ties with Israel, as per a statement from the Central American nation's government, citing Israel's assaults on Palestinian territories. The statement characterized the Israeli government as "fascist" and "genocidal." This action is largely symbolic, given the minimal existing diplomatic relations between the two countries. Israel does not have an ambassador stationed in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. Earlier in the day, the Nicaraguan congress had passed a resolution urging the government to take action as the Gaza war approached its one-year anniversary. The Nicaraguan government noted that the conflict has now expanded to include Lebanon and poses a severe threat to Syria, Yemen, and Iran. The Middle East is on edge for potential further escalation following Iran's missile attack on Israel on October 1. Iran supports the Lebanon-based group Hezbollah, which has been the target of recent deadly Israeli attacks. Additionally, Iran is an ally of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's administration. Nicaragua has faced increasing isolation in recent years, particularly after Ortega's government suppressed anti-government protests in 2018, resulting in the deaths of around 300 people, according to rights groups. This marks the second time under Ortega's leadership that Nicaragua has severed ties with Israel, the first being in 2010, and the third time overall, with the previous instance occurring in 1982 under the Sandinista revolutionary government led by Ortega following the 1979 revolution.