South Africa says it is recalling all of its diplomats from Tel Aviv following Israel’s intense air strikes on Gaza on Sunday night.

Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, who staunchly condemned Israel on Monday told a press conference that South Africa was withdrawing its diplomats, as the country was extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories.

Pandor also noted that South Africa believes the nature of response by Israel has become one of collective punishment.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also warned that Gaza is becoming a “graveyard for children”, as Israeli air strikes intensify.

In a joint statement earlier, UN agencies called the killings of civilians in both Gaza and Israel “horrific”, as Guterres affirmed that the case for a “humanitarian ceasefire” becomes “more urgent with every passing hour”.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says 10,022 people, including 4,104 children, have been killed in the territory since Israel’s campaign began.