Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko has urged Israel to follow an order by the International Court of Justice to stop its military operations in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Kamikawa spoke with Israeli Foreign Israel Katz by telephone on Monday.

The ICJ on Friday issued provisional measures ordering Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah and to keep the Rafah crossing open for humanitarian assistance. But the Israeli military continues its offensive.

Kamikawa said the Japanese government is deeply concerned about the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza and is opposed to a full scale military operation in Rafah.

She said the ICJ's order is legally binding on the parties to disputes and should be implemented in good faith.

Katz reportedly explained his country's position.

The foreign ministers agreed to maintain communications between their countries.