United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson has called for Israel to investigate alleged violations of international humanitarian law in the Jenin refugee camp.
Mrs Robinson, who is at a meeting of the Council of Europe in Lithuania, said she welcomed the "credible report" by Human Rights Watch.
She said the report suggested serious breaches of international humanitarian law in the killing of civilians and the destruction of civilian property.
The Human Rights Watch report, issued earlier today, said it found no evidence to back charges that hundreds of Palestinians were massacred at the Jenin refugee camp, but said the Israeli army may have committed war crimes there.
"I call first of all for the state of Israel to carry out an independent investigation of the situation and to have accountability for those who are found to have been in breach of international humanitarian law," Mrs Robinson said.
"But also, because of the particular circumstances of occupation, there is a very clear responsibility on the states party to the 4th Geneva Convention," she said. The convention relates to the protection of civilians during conflict.
Mrs Robinson reiterated her regret that her own planned visit the West Bank and Gaza Strip and that the UN fact-finding mission to Jenin had been called off due to Israel's opposition.
She said she had raised the issue with foreign ministers or their representatives from the Council of Europe's 44 member states, who were gathered in Vilnius.