The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said its movement is ready to cooperate with the UN inquiry panel which arrived in Gaza on Monday to investigate the Israeli military offensive on Gaza that ended on January 18.

South African prosecutor Richard Goldstone heading the mission of 15 legal experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council entered in Gaza through Rafah border crossing, which has been closed for two years.

"Hamas movement is highly appreciating all the efforts of the international committees and the delegations that come to Gaza to unveil the crimes committed against our women and children," said Hamas spokesman in Gaza Fawzi Barhoum in a press statement.

"Hamas will cooperate with the UN team members and will put all the evidences and proofs at their disposal to let them complete their mission," he said.

He added that "it's our duty as people who tasted the most awful crimes to cooperate with the UN inquiry panel and offer all facilitation for its members."

The UN delegation will investigate the performance of both the Israeli army and Hamas movement during the three-week offensive that Israel launched against Gaza Strip militants, mainly Hamas.

At his arrival in Gaza, Goldstone told reporters that he is glad to be in Gaza, adding that his team "will work and cooperate with all parties."

"We came here to investigate, to listen and to watch everything related to violations that happened here and harmed the human rights and the international conventions," said Goldstone.

According to deposed Hamas' ministry of health, more than 1,450 Palestinians were killed, most of them were women and children, and less than one third of those were killed were militants.

Deposed Hamas ministry of construction also said that over 20,000 houses and buildings were either partially or completely destroyed during the air strikes on government and security establishments.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2009)