Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the UN Human Rights Council’s decision to back a controversial report on the Gaza war.

Friday’s resolution supported the report produced by the Gaza Conflict Commission of Inquiry. It had accused Israel and terrorist group Hamas of committing war crimes during the 50 day conflict last summer.

The resolution was passed by 41 of the 47 UNHRC council members – including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

The United States was the only country to vote against the resolution.

It was also the first time India has abstained from voting on an anti-Israel resolution in the UN. Kenya, Ethiopia, Macedonia and Paraguay also abstained.

The Israeli prime minister condemned the decision and said: “Our actions emanated from the need to protect the safety of our citizens who confronted a murderous terrorist organisation that was [guilty of] a double war crime – firing deliberately on [Israeli] civilians while hiding behind its own civilians.”

Next week marks the first anniversary of the start of Operation Protective Edge .