AS ROCKETS rained down on Gaza City on Tuesday, MP for Richmond Park, Dr Jenny Tonge was left stranded when Israeli attacks led to the closure of the border with the West Bank.

Dr Tonge was visiting the area with fellow MP Oona King, Christian Aid and other organisations, to look at the humanitarian crisis and agricultural restrictions in the area and were due to leave the area this afternoon.

The Israeli rocket attacks were thought to be an assassination attempt on Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantissi in what will be seen as a setback to the US President’s much hyped ‘road map’ for peace in the Middle East.

Dr Tonge was openly critical of what she saw in Gaza and of the rocket attack, saying: "The Israeli government's attack, so close to Gaza's main hospital, is deeply worrying.

"Medical supplies are already extremely low, further undermining the Palestinian authority's ability to look after its people and unless both sides fulfil the obligations set out in the road map there will be no escape from this escalating spiral of violence.

"From what we have seen so far, the policy of settlements and land destruction is effectively squeezing the Palestinians to death."

Ms King added: "My fear is that the Israeli action will undermine the Palestinian prime minister, Abu Mazan. His mission in Gaza was to persuade Palestinian militant groups to agree to a ceasefire.

“Today's helicopter gunship attacks must surely jeopardise his hopes of progress and I doubt the Israeli government was ignorant of that fact.

"A Palestinian farmer I spoke to today said Israel talks peace, but only in news bulletins."