A senior South African official said Monday that the country's Cabinet has decided to recall its diplomats in Israel for further consultations on the situation in Gaza.

"The South African government has decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv for consultation. The recall for consultation is a serious signal that South Africa takes a very dim view of the situation that is permeating in that part of the world," said Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, minister in the Presidency, at a media briefing.

Ntshavheni said South Africa is disappointed with Israel's continued bombing of schools and clinics in Gaza and the closure of humanitarian passages.

"Cabinet has also noted the continuing disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and genocide of the Israeli government. The position of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa is becoming very untenable and Cabinet has decided to instruct the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to take the necessary measures within the diplomatic channels and protocols to deal with the conduct of the ambassador of Israel to South Africa," Ntshavheni said.