UN rights council launches probe into Israel's Gaza offensive

The United States was the sole member to vote against, while European countries abstain from voting.

GENEVA: The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday launched a probe into Israel's Gaza offensive, backing efforts by the Palestinians to hold the Jewish state up to international scrutiny.

The 46-member council backed a Palestinian-drafted resolution by 29 votes, with Arab and fellow Muslim countries joined by China, Russia and Latin American and African nations.

The United States was the sole member to vote against, while European countries abstained.