Chilean President Gabriel Boric has said his country was joining South Africa in its case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of “genocide” in Gaza in the offensive against Hamas, AFP reports.

Speaking to the National Congress, Boric decried the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza and called for “a firm response from the international community”.

“Chile will become a party to and support the case that South Africa presented against Israel before the International Court of Justice in The Hague,” Boric said.

The ICJ is considering South Africa’s case, but in the interim has brought in “preliminary measures” ordering Israel to do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its campaign against Hamas.

Chile has recognised Palestine as a state since 2011, and Boric has previously said the offensive in Gaza has “no justification” and is “unacceptable.”