Pretoria - The government of South Africa on Monday called on Israel to stop its military attacks in Gaza and immediately withdraw its forces from the border.

Pretoria also summoned Israel's ambassador Dov Segev-Steinberg to signal its "grave concern," over Israel's actions, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Fatima Hajaig told journalists.

"The situation is serious, it might spread to other neighbouring areas," Hajaig was quoted as saying in a report by the South African Press Association.

"The South African government finds the continued siege on Gaza unacceptable as it does not allow humanitarian relief supply such as medicine, food and water to reach the desperate people of Gaza." (dpa)