Following the Human Rights Council’s discussions on the Goldstone report, Amnesty International has called for the UN Secretary-General to refer the report to the UN Security Council without delay.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former UN human rights commissioner Mary Robinson and Justice Richard Goldstone are among signatories of a global call for an investigation into the Gaza conflict.

Both Israel and Hamas used imported weapons to carry attack civilians, Amnesty International said in fresh evidence on the munitions used during the three-week conflict in Gaza and southern Israel.

Amnesty International says it has evidence that Hamas forces and militias have been involved in a ruthless crackdown on opponents in the wake of the Israeli military action in the territory.

The Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR) group has called for an end to the Israeli bombing of Gaza, and also to Hamas rocket attacks, citing Jewish teaching on mercy and proportionality in self-defence.

A top Christian monthly magazine has published an interview with Khalid Mish'al, widely regarded as the most senior figure in Hamas, the Islamist resistance group elected in Palestine and described as 'terrorists' by the USA.

Following protests from civic, human rights and church groups, Israel has said that it will allow some fuel and medicine into the Gaza Strip - but only for one day. Its blockade has contributed to a large humanitarian crisis.

The Archbishop of York pounded an African drum to celebrate the release of the BBC's Alan Johnston from captivity in Gaza today. Now Hamas wants recognition for its Palestinian authority. And many non-Westerners remain in prison.

With global attention focussing on news of BBC journalist Alan Johnston's release from captivity in Gaza, a leading church agency says it is time to end the isolation of the Palestinian authority if peace is to be possible.

Heads of the historic churches in Jerusalem have welcomed the Palestine-Israel Ecumenical Forum launched in Jordan last week. They want to work with those of all faiths and none to achieve a breakthrough in the deadly stalemate.