NORTH West MEP Chris Davies has become the first politician from the UK to enter the Gaza Strip since the start of the latest military conflict in the region.

Mr Davies, whose constituency includes Bolton, was among nine European politicians to visit the battered Palestinian enclave, which is now out of bounds to foreign journalists.

He has called for action to be taken to stop Israel’s attack on the territory.

The Liberal Democrat MEP said: “If Israeli politicians believe that the bombing and terrorising of a civilian population is going to destroy Palestinian resolve and reduce the causes of conflict then they are profoundly mistaken.

“The earth shook each time and the explosions frightened me, but many of the children in the shelter seemed to regard them almost as part of everyday life because they were 600 metres away.

“The big powers must act to enforce the latest UN resolution.

"Words are not enough and action is now needed to end the slaughter of innocent civilians.

“Israeli civilians have the right not to live in fear of rocket attacks from Hamas, but their current offensive will not work and is killing unacceptable numbers of innocent people.

"Israel must stop the slaughter now and find another way to peace."