Members of EU Parliament delegation are seen on a bus in southern Gaza Strip, in June 9, 2009. A delegation of 41 European legislators entered the Gaza Strip via Egypt to inspect the war-torn territory on Tuesday. More than 1,400 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli assault on Gaza between December 27, 2008 and January 18, 2009, most of them civilians, say human rights groups. [Xinhua]

About 40 European legislators entered the Gaza Strip on Tuesday via Egypt to inspect the war-torn territory.

The delegation is led by Luisa Morgantini, Vice President of Europe Parliament, with members of national European parliaments and mayors of European cities.

"The delegation will visit areas the Israeli army destroyed in the recent war on the Gaza Strip," said Adel Zourob, a spokesman for Hamas movement which holds sway in the Palestinian salient.

He also voiced hope that the visit would help lift an Israeli blockade imposed on the territory since Hamas seized control therein 2007.

Meanwhile, 22 Palestinian children, who lost limbs and parts in the war, left the Gaza Strip via Rafah border crossing, heading to Slovenia for treatment funded by the Slovenian government.

More than 1,400 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli assault on Gaza between December 27, 2008 and January 18, 2009, most of them civilians, say human rights groups.

Thousands of houses, factories and governmental facilities were also destroyed in the war, the toughest since Israel occupied the Palestinian territories in 1967.

Vice President of Europe Parliament Luisa Morgantini speaks to press upon her arrival at Gaza in June 9, 2009. A delegation of 41 European legislators entered the Gaza Strip via Egypt to inspect the war-torn territory on Tuesday. More than 1,400 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli assault on Gaza between December 27, 2008 and January 18, 2009, most of them civilians, say human rights groups. [Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2009)