Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip could amount to war crimes, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warned yesterday.

Citing Israeli air strikes and shelling hitting houses and hospitals, Ms Pillay said: “These are just a few examples where there seems to be a strong possibility that international humanitarian law has been violated, in a manner that could amount to war crimes.

“Every one of these incidents must be properly and independently investigated,” she told an emergency session of the UN human rights council.

Ms Pillay said that around three-quarters of the Palestinians killed in the conflict were civilians and thousands more have been injured.

She said the killing of civilians in Gaza, especially children, raised concerns over Israel’s precautions and its respect for proportionality.

Israel’s assault on Gaza, which moved into its 16th day yesterday, has claimed the lives of at least 648 Palestinians and more than 4,000 have been injured.

The number of Israelis who died from fighting with Palestinians has climbed to 31, including 29 soldiers and two civilians.

The 46-nation council approved by 29 votes a resolution from Palestine condemning “widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms” since Israel launched its offensive.

The US was the sole vote against, while EU states abstained.

The motion called on the UN to “urgently dispatch an independent, international commission of inquiry” tasked with probing “all violations of international human rights law.”

It also called for “immediate international protection for the Palestinian people.”

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki asked: “How many martyrs must die before Israel puts an end to its aggression?”

Israeli UN representative Eviatar Manor claimed that Israel’s military made “great efforts” to minimise civilian casualties.

He attacked the human rights council, calling the session “misguided, ill-conceived and counterproductive.”

But Mr al-Malki urged world powers to end impunity, adding: “Israel must be held accountable for its crimes.”

Meanwhile, Israeli troops battled Hamas fighters and US Secretary of State John Kerry claimed progress towards a truce.

But neither side appeared close to backing down, after Palestinian rocket fire led international airlines to cancel flights and Israeli troops clashed with Hamas fighters near Khan Younis, forcing dozens of families to flee.