JOHANNESBURG, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The South African government on Sunday said it has noted Israel's filing of its response to the written pleadings in a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement released by the presidency, South Africa will consider Israel's response and decide whether to request the court's permission to make further written submissions in reply, or to proceed directly to the oral phase of proceedings.

Israel submitted its response on March 12, following two extensions granted by the court to a deadline initially set for July 28, 2025, in reply to South Africa's memorial filed on Oct. 28, 2024, according to the statement.

"South Africa remains committed to playing its part, along with others, to fulfil the promises of the Genocide Convention and the UN Charter," President Cyril Ramaphosa said in the statement.

Ramaphosa called for defending the principles of international law and reasserting the vital role of the United Nations and international dispute settlement mechanisms such as the ICJ.

The situation in Gaza has been compounded by the escalating crisis in the Gulf and Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon, raising the risk of a wider conflict with grave implications for regional and international peace and security, the statement said.

In December 2023, South Africa filed a case before the ICJ against Israel over alleged acts of genocide in Gaza. The ICJ has yet to rule, while South Africa has reiterated it would continue to pursue the case until a judgment is delivered. ■