Two members of Congress, including Southwest Washington Congressman Brian Baird, visited Gaza on Thursday to view firsthand the destruction from recent Israeli air and ground attacks and to meet with international and local relief agencies.

This visit, which did not have the official sanction of the Obama Administration, is the first time anyone from the U.S. government has entered Gaza in more than three years, according to Baird’s office.

Baird, D-Wash., was joined by U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat.

Prior to touring Gaza, they met with officials of the Palestinian Authority that governs Gaza. Today, Baird and Ellison planned to tour the Israeli towns of Sderot and Ashkelon, which have been the target of numerous rockets before and throughout the recent attacks launched from Gaza.

“Staff from the U.S. State Department advised us of security concerns for our own safety, and we are well aware of the sensitive political issues involved in this visit,” according to a joint statement from Baird and Ellison.

“We believe it is important to be here to see what happened for ourselves, to meet with people who have been affected, and to express our concern and support,” Baird said in a statement released by his office.

Baird and Ellison were deeply affected by what they had seen and heard.

“The amount of physical destruction and the depth of human suffering here is staggering” Baird said. “Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools completely leveled, fundamental water, sewer, and electricity facilities hit and relief agencies heavily damaged.

“The personal stories of children being killed in their homes or schools, entire families wiped out, and relief workers prevented from evacuating the wounded are heart wrenching – what went on here, and what is continuing to go on, is shocking and troubling beyond words.”

The Congressmen reported that some relief aid has been allowed into Gaza since the intensity of the attacks lessened a month ago, but much is still being blocked by the Israeli defense forces. Examples of aid that has been banned by the Israeli Government include: lentils, macaroni, tomato paste, lentils and other food. Basic building materials, generator fuel and parts to repair damaged water treatment equipment have also been kept out.

“If this had happened in our own country, there would be national outrage and an appeal for urgent assistance. We are glad that the Obama administration acted quickly to send much-needed funding for this effort, but the arbitrary and unreasonable Israeli limitations on food and repair essentials is unacceptable and indefensible. People, innocent children, women and non-combatants, are going without water, food and sanitation, while the things they so desperately need are sitting in trucks at the border, being denied permission to go in,” according to the joint statement.