The report by veteran South African judge Richard Goldstone accuses both Israel and Hamas of war crimes.

Human rights groups have welcomed his report as serious and well-balanced, but Israel and the US say it is biased. A vote is expected on Friday on a draft resolution about the report and Israel's policies.

“A culture of impunity continues to prevail in the occupied territories and in Israel,” said Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at the opening of the special meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on Oct. 5.

She called for “impartial, independent, prompt and effective investigations into reported violations of human rights and humanitarian law”.

Israel has already come under pressure from its allies - including the US, UK and France - to investigate the UN allegations.

The text of the draft resolution says UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon should monitor Israeli and Palestinian compliance with the Goldstone report. It also contains a condemnation of Israel's policies in East Jerusalem, another issue likely to divide the Council.

Israeli military action destroyed thousands of homes, hundreds of factories and 80 official buildings in Gaza.

Palestinians and human rights groups say more than 1,400 people were killed in the violence between 27 December 2008 and 16 January 2009, more than half of them civilians.