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

Liberal Democrat Chris Davies last night said his abiding impression will be of young children in a UN shelter giving “V for Victory” signs as Israeli shells fell.

“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,” he said.

Mr Davies, who has visited Gaza three times before, said this his visit during yesterday’s ceasefire was punctuated several times by Israeli shelling near the UN shelter he was visiting.

Mr Davies and eight other MEPs were escorted into and out of Gaza by UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) and were briefed by John Ging, the head of UNRWA in Gaza.

“The over-riding message is that the big powers must act to enforce the latest UN resolution.

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

HUNDREDS of Merseyside protesters travelled to London on Saturday to join a Free Gaza rally.

Six coaches, a mini-bus and scores of cars set off to the capital for the 100,000-strong protest.

The rally ended in violence as protesters clashed with riot police. However, Mark Holt, chair of Merseyside’s branch of Stop War the War Coalition said members did not witness any trouble.