Helsinki  - Nobel Peace laureate Martti Ahtisaari said Thursday he has been contacted by the United Nations in connection with a possible international probe into violence in Gaza.

The Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council recently said it wanted to appoint an international commission to probe the recent Israeli military offensive in Gaza.

Ahtisaari was quoted as telling Finnish news agency STT that the parties - Israel and the Palestinians - have to prove they are willing to cooperate fully before any mission could commence.

"That is a necessary prerequisite for such a mission," he said.

Ahtisaari was in 2008 awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his mediation efforts in various conflicts ranging from Namibia to Aceh in Indonesia.

Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, has also been mentioned as a possible member of such a commission. (dpa)