A U.N. human rights team is scheduled to visit the Gaza Strip during the weekend to investigate Israeli conduct during the Gaza offensive in December.

South African Judge Richard Gladstone, the former chief prosecutor with the international tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, leads a team of four to the Gaza Strip, entering through the Rafah crossing June 1.

Entering through the Egyptian border point implies Israeli authorities did not grant the team permission to enter the Hamas-held Palestinian territory.

U.N. officials say Goldstone, a jurist of Jewish descent, had asked Jerusalem for permission and visas to enter Gaza, but was refused by Israeli authorities.

The Israeli military in the three-week offensive took international criticism for its heavy-handed tactics in response to Hamas shelling of border towns.

Palestinian groups claim over 1,400 people, including 926 civilians, were killed in the Israeli raid, while three civilians and 10 Israeli soldiers died during the operations.

Israel also faced a global backlash for its use of white phosphorus munitions over civilian populated areas during the attack. Though white phosphorus is permitted to illuminate targets, rights groups complain of the secondary affects of horrific burns when it comes into contact with human skin.

The Israeli military faced similar complaints during its 34-day conflict with Hezbollah militants in 2006.