Irish politicians visit Gaza on international mission

Two Irish politicians are taking part in an international fact-finding mission to the Gaza Strip today.

Fianna Fáil TD Chris Andrews and Sinn Féin TD Aengus O'Snodaigh will join parliamentarians from several other countries to assess the plight of Palestinians in the region.

Gaza has been under a prolonged siege as part of a campaign by Israeli forces to isolate the territory's Hamas-controlled government.

The siege has left more than one million ordinary Palestinians facing major shortages of food, water and electricity.

Mr Andrews says today's visit to the region is designed to show international solidarity with the Palestinians and to push for an end to the Israeli blockade.