The Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman termed as "scandalous" the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to investigate alleged war crimes on Palestinian soil.
"The decision is intended to hurt Israel's right to defend itself from terror", a statement issued by the foreign minister said Friday.
"The same court has not found cause to intervene in Syria, where 200,000 died or in Libya, or in other places, finds it appropriate to examine 'the most moral military in the world' in a decision based entirely on anti-Israeli political considerations," MENA reported citing Lieberman as saying.
The Palestinians had asked the ICC to investigate war crimes committed by Israel during the 50-day Gaza war in July and August last year, in which nearly 2,200 Palestinians were killed, including more than 400 children, according to UN information.
"The office will conduct its analysis with impartiality", said the prosecution office in a statement, adding that it was a matter of "policy and practice" to open a preliminary examination after receiving such a referral.
