The United Nations on Thursday rejected as "unacceptable" sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on an independent UN rapporteur over her criticism of Israel and called for them to be reversed.

Barclays and BP are hardly strangers to criticism. But even those UK PLC heavyweights must have been taken aback when last week – along with the likes of Google, Amazon and educational institutions such as the the University of Edinburgh – they were accused by the United Nations of exploiting an “economy of genocide” by maintaining ties with Israel.

The Trump administration has announced it is issuing sanctions against an independent investigator tasked with probing human rights abuses in the Palestinian territories.

HuffPost first reported the planned move against Francesca Albanese that comes amid a Washington visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

U.S. sanctions against U.N. expert Albanese mark an escalation in the international fallout over Israel's war in Gaza.

Israeli attacks have killed over 60 Palestinians in Gaza, including at least 10 children, in strikes near medical facilities and aid centres. As talks continue on a possible 60-day ceasefire, hospitals in Gaza warn that fuel is critically low and say hospitals and other essential facilities