The International Criminal Court (ICC) is to open a preliminary investigation into the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

The office of the prosecutor at the ICC is to conduct the examination, which Amnesty International says could pave the way for victims of crimes to get justice under international law.

"A preliminary examination could eventually lead to an ICC investigation into crimes committed by all sides in Israel and the OPT and break the culture of impunity that has perpetuated a cycle of war crimes and crimes against humanity," Amnesty International says.

The ICC says: "A preliminary examination is not an investigation, but a process of examining the information available in order to reach a fully informed determination on whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation."

There are no timelines provided for in the investigation.

"Depending on the facts and circumstances of each situation, the office will decide whether to continue to collect information to establish a sufficient factual and legal basis to render a determination; initiate an investigation, subject to judicial review as appropriate; or decline to initiate an investigation," it adds.

Read the full ICC statement here

It comes less than a month after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed documents to join a host of international organisations - including the ICC.

While the Dail has previously voted in favour of the government recognising the State of Palestine, based on its 1967 borders before Israeli occupation.

The government parties backed a motion saying they were in favour of a two state solution for Israel and Palestine last month.

Currently, eight EU states recognise Palestine as a state - with Sweden the most recent to adopt the stance and the first to do so while an EU member state.

The United Nations General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of Palestine in 2012, but the EU has yet to give official recognition.