Tokyo, May 28 (RHC)-- Japan’s Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko told her Israeli counterpart that Tokyo wants to see an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and that rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are binding under international law and must “be observed in good faith.”

In a phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Yoko also said that “humanitarian assistance activities” in Gaza “should not be impeded” and that Tokyo wants to see a “conducive environment for humanitarian assistance,” including “making use of the Rafah crossing.”

“Both sides concurred to continue close communication,” Japan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the call on Monday.

The ICJ last week ordered Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide, and warning of “immense risk” to the Palestinian population from the ground invasion of the city in southern Gaza, which was earlier declared a “safe zone” by Israeli forces.