Bogota, Oct. 2 -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday ordered the expulsion of all remaining Israeli diplomats from the country after Israel intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and detained two Colombian activists on board.

Petro said the two women, identified as Manuela Bedoya and Luna Barreto, were engaged in "human solidarity activities with Palestine" when they were detained by Israeli forces in international waters as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. His office demanded their immediate release.

Israel's foreign ministry confirmed that "several vessels" in the flotilla had been intercepted and redirected to an Israeli port, with passengers taken into custody.

Although Petro severed diplomatic ties with Israel last ye...