Expect the fortification of Gazas border and then huge numbers of rockets falling on Israeli civilians. It worked for Hizbollah and I can see Hamas trying it again.

Mike Fitzgerald, Brighton, UK

Am I the only one to sympathise with Hamas ?

After all, they are fighting primarily against a foreign occupation, and secondarily against a group of collaborators.

If Israel decided that God said they can have Merseyside as well as Palestine, I know how I'd react just like Hamas does, and so would everyone I know.

Bob, Liverpool, UK

God created the exquisite beauty of the world/universe as an act of love, therefore seems logical that God is love.
Why do Testosterone fueled men have to involve God in their lust to kill their fellow man?

Kate, Reading, UK

The US is prepared to expend $billions and more than 3500 US military personnel to solve a problem that never existed in Iraq but has remained totally disengaged and won't invest one red cent in the longer-running and far bigger problem of Israel/Palestine.

Is it really so surprising that decades of Palestinian frustration have fomented ever more radical reaction?

Stupid is as stupid does.

Ad, Nottingham, UK

I presume that all the infrastructure that was build in Gaza with our money is destroyed by now. I hope that next time our politicians give our money to people who appreciate it and who have a constructive attitude.

Luc, Brussels,

Abu Mazen should have dismantled the militia of his party as per the road map agreement.......too little too late.

His party ,"Fatah" is a reverse acronym of the Arabic, Harekat at-Tahrir al-Wataniyyeh al-Falastiniyyeh meaning "conquest by means of jihad [Islamic holy war]" and so can hardly be called secular as stated by the media. Fatah's objectives remain those of the PLO who confusingly state:
"This Organization does not exercise any territorial sovereignty over the West Bank in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, [or] on the Gaza Strip..." yet seek to replace Israel by their rhetoric and what they teach globally from Palestinian school text books. It is very interesting that the
Palestinian National Covenant of 1964, does not mention Jerusalem at all....so what's all the fuss about.

Yasser Arrafat is too recent history for Israel, they are awaiting a true peace partner with a peaceful charter, rhetoric and actions to match.

kate brennan, Stockport, uk

The result was inevitable, especially with Western backing for corrupt Fatah leaders. It never fails to surprise me why the West always back police state governments.

Zak, London, UK

as long as they love death more than life, any chance of establishing an autonomous state, or being accepted and respected by any civilsed human being is absolutely zero. They are doomed

ada, london, uk

I see now that any attempt to deal with Hamas was wrong. These guys should be isolated. I am fully against any support from Europe for Palestinians. Let’s support Israel which is protecting us from Islamic revolution.

Miro, London,

Death and suffering will continue in the whole region until Israel withdraws from occupied territory and dismantles all illegal settlements. In exchange the Arab side will have to recognise Israel as a state. The two should come to solid agreements on security and co-operation - they could have so much to offer each other. The Americans must keep out of it. They have done and continue to do damage in the middle east merely in their own strategic interests.

Ronald E. Watts, Nicosia, Cyprus

The world (especially the E.U.) has deliberately ignored the true nature of Hamas and 'hoped for the best'. Now we have Iran in the East and it's Gaza satellite 'Hamastan' in the West. Soon to be linked up with the Hezbollah Shias in Southern Lebanon. Looks like a pincer movement to me ! Of course, the 'bleeding hearts' will blame everything upon Israel, yet again, but ask yourselves this simple question -"What would Britain do if France and Belgium and Holland behaved this way ?"

Antonio Garcia, Alicante, Spain

These people have so many levels of very deep delusion. They have no understanding that their demands are all impossible and think that their non-existant God -which is the same 'One God' as their Jewish and Christian and Sunni moslem enemies - will grant it. They will die young and miserable but not before the miseries have been passed on to many others and future generation of psychotics.

Michael , BRIGHTON, UK

Clever lot in Gaza, where will they get their food and water from now? Israel? Methinks not. Didn't really think it through again did they?

Mikko Takala, Inverness, Scotland

These are very worrying times for all us who are not fundamentalist Moslems. There are dangerous rumblings around the globe of increasing power being taken by these people who want to convert the world to Sharia law. Every country needs to sit up and listen and see what is happening around them. They are everywhere, just waiting to take over. It's time for the rest of the world to take control and put a stop to it now. Where are the non fundamentalists? The true peace loving moslems need to seek out these people from their midst and put a stop to it before it's too late.

Roz, Kingston, Surrey

So much for the rule of law, these are jungle rules: the man with the biggest machine gun and the sharpest axe takes all. In 24 hours they have undone what has taken decades of negotitation and gradual step by step improvements in the prospects for a credible Palestinian state. Oh, and what has this got to do with Bush? Nothing! These guys were running around wih AK47s long before we'd even heard of the Bushes, Bush just gave it a name: Terrorism.

Shane, Guildford, England

This turn of events is the fault of the west and especially Britain, USA and Israel. The joint government has been hamstrung and unable to provide day to day financing for running a coherent government. The removal of funds for the president was only ever going to lead to the removal of the joint party government, remeber HAMAS actually won the democratic election.

Israel will be happy just now as they can rest a little while Fatah (set up by Israel) and Hamas fight amongst themselves.

The civilians as usual are just pawns.

Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh, Scotland

Perhaps Norway, by being the first to have recognized Hamas, will now begin to understand what kind of people they have supported – Islamists whose interpretation of Galileo is tossing people off 18 story buildings and shooting doctors in hospitals. Finally the stupidity of the western governments who expected a “moderate Hamas” is being exposed beyond any spin. Or will they again move the goal posts and ask for a dialog with these murderers? No one can overestimate the spinelessness of the Europeans.

Mladen Andrijasevic , Be'er Sheva, Israel

Well it would appear that the US/Israeli strategy of only speaking to Organisations/Leaders who are not representative of the Palestinian people, or, their interests has paid off big time. The genie is well & truly out of the bottle, I shudder to think of the consequences for all concerned in the region, and, the price that will be paid by the west as a result of the incompetance and bias of its Leaders.

Kevin Sullivan, London, UK

theres nothing wrong with a muslim dressed in a black balaclava, bending over his clutched AK47 in prayer to Allah. he's praying to his lord, no shame in that at all, im sure many muslims will be proud that he has remembered god at victory instead of drinking to celebrate, thats what you call discipline

jack, London,

well if the germans had captured england and all the english were driven to wales and then launched a resistance from their to liberate england, im sure they would be called freedom fighters, same thing here.

this has all resulted from the US failing to do business with hamas, the elected government, if you start picking and choosing democracies this is bound to happen. israel is hardly in a position to fight given the disastrous war with hizbollah

adam, NY,

We should not forget that Hamas is the democratically elected government of the Palestinian people. Now they have full control in Gaza we should wait and see if they stop the rocket attacks on Israel and press politically for a return of all territories with the 1967 borders, or whether they choose to continue the attacks. In the former case they should be recognised and congratulated. In the latter case the region is doomed to more suffering and loss of life.

Jorge Halconero, Malaga, Spain

If the fundamentalists of Hamas can’t even live in peace with their own brothers and sisters, how will they ever be capable of living together with people from different religions or cultures?

l.karremans, Heusden, EU

What could be worse? Whoever helped these lunatics is at least partly responsible. The saddest thing is that they claim to believe in God, which will certainly increase atheism world-wide.

Gideon, Kashiwa, Japan

You have been warned over and over, the Islamofascists are one step closer to your door. You damn fools in the West have backed the wrong horse-again. Do you want to start supporting your only ally - Israel now,? You are too late mate. You have paid lip-service to the Islamic controlled UN for years and your just deserts are being served. .... and our 'academics' (what a laugh) are boycotting Ier..Israel. Who next then ? France would be a good bet while I'm in the mood to lay odds.

victor, Malaga, Spain

I just wonder what the media will do now there are no 'moderates' to force the Israelis to negotiate with as part of the 'peace process'.

Tony, London,

Part of blame must be for the actions of the US and European countries
who financially for many years supported the corrupt organization of Yassar Arafat
(who had a $1B in a swiss account upon his death).

Lawrence, San Francisco, CA/US

Nothing puts this siutation within its true religious context as much as the vision of a teenage gunman dressed in a black balaclave, bending over his clutched AK47 in prayer to Allah. Muslims who feel they do not receive any respect, will hopefully feel the need to distance themselves from such behavior.

Emma H., Ottawa, CAN

disagree

jingming, guangzhou, china

Imagine Wales in the grip of armed terrorists intent on killing English and destroying England.
Egypt and the Arab world have armed these lunatics.
I have no sympathy whatsoever.

Adam, Eastcote, middx, uk

That is the result of Bush's Policies, oh boy it's blowing all over the M. east, and that is just the beggining.

Tserpent, tyson corner, virginia

Well, Israel will now feel that all its past actions have been vindicated.

Chris, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic