A U.N. spokeswoman says the United Nations Human Rights Council will hold a special meeting later this week to examine Israel's military offensive in Lebanon.

Israeli airstrikes hit the area of al-Hosh, north of Tyre, Monday

The spokeswoman said Tuesday Tunisia requested the meeting on behalf of the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference. The Islamic countries called on the council to take action on what they called "gross violations of human rights by Israel in Lebanon."

China, Russia and South Africa also signed the request.

In a similar session in July, the council voted 29 to 11 to condemn Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. Israel's ambassador rejected the July resolution and accused the council of bias against the Jewish state.