UN considering Gaza report

The United Nations General Assembly is meeting to consider a resolution on the Gaza war adopted by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.

The report endorsed October 16th was drafted by an expert panel chaired by South African Judge Richard Goldstone.

The 192-nation world body is likely to approve a resolution urging Israeli's and the Palestinians to carry out -- within three months --independent investigations of alleged war crimes during their conflict in Gaza last winter, and calls for possible Security Council action if they do not.

Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, says the draft resolution was "balanced" and it would "absolutely" be approved, but negotiations are still under way, and a vote was not expected until Thursday.

Several European nations indicated they are still seeking changes. Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Gabriela Shalev, said the Goldstone report is counterproductive in the efforts for peace in the region.