Chile is to join the South African legal action before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging that Israel is committing genocide in its military assault on the Gaza Strip, President Gabriel Boric told parliament in Santiago.
"We will never, never cease to be outraged at the random and absolutely disproportionate actions of the Israeli armed forces against innocent civilians, in particular Palestinian women and children," Boric said on Saturday.
Chile would join and support the South African action, he said.
Boric also condemned the October 7 attacks mounted by Hamas on Israel from the Gaza Strip and called for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
"I do not accept having to choose between barbarities," he said.
Chile called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the recognition of two states – Israel and Palestine – in a posting by the Foreign Ministry on the X messaging service.
South Africa launched its legal action in The Hague at the end of last year. In an interim ruling, the ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide and to allow humanitarian aid through to the civilian population.
At the end of last month, the court ordered an immediate halt to the Israeli offensive in Rafah in the extreme south of the Gaza Strip.
Israel has rejected allegations of genocide and cited its right to self-defence following the October 7 attacks. It could be years before the ICJ issues a final ruling.