Ramallah, Feb 7 (IANS): Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ordered the formation of a committee to follow up lawsuits to be brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israel in April, media reported Saturday.

Veteran Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat has been nominated chairman of the panel, Xinhua news agency reported citing state-run Wafa news agency.

It will comprise members from various factions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and intellectuals, according to the report.

The committee is aimed at preparing all needed documents and testimonies about Israel's war crimes committed last summer in the Gaza Strip and the Jewish state's settlement expansion.

On July 8, 2014, Israel kicked off a 50-day large-scale military air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, leaving more than 2,100 Palestinians and 70 Israelis dead.

On Dec 31, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed on to join 20 international treaties and agencies, including the Rome Statute and the ICC.

Earlier last month, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that Palestine would join the ICC April 1.