EU delegation to assess Gaza damage

Fifty parliamentarians from across Europe are on their way to the Gaza Strip to assess conditions in the Palestinian enclave following the Israeli offensive a year ago, sources say.

That military assault left hundreds dead and damaged millions of dollars worth of infrastructure.

The delegation, organised by the European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza (ECESG), is due to arrive in Egypt on Thursday, from where they will cross into Gaza.

The delegation, headed by Sir Gerald Kaufman, a veteran British MP, is the biggest in years to visit Gaza.

The parliamentarians represent 12 European countries and include Lord Ahmed, Jeremy Corbyn, Baroness Tonge and Clare Short, a former UK international development secretary.