Mona Yousef

Hamas and Fatah must work together.

But Hamas must not give up the principles on which it was elected. They must still argue and fight for the prisoners, for the borders and for the Palestinian state.

Hamas should not recognise Israel. I strongly believe this.

Israel doesn't recognise us as Palestinians or as humans. Let Israel recognise us first.

MEET THE PANEL Name: Mona Yousef Age: 23 Lives: Northern Gaza Strip Works: Unemployed translator

Most people I discussed this with in my English club agreed with me.

They don't want Hamas to recognise Israel, but at the same time they want Hamas to fulfil its responsibilities towards the Palestinian people.

So there's a great contradiction there.

Fatah should use its better relationship with the international community to help Hamas.

Fatah should help Hamas keep our rights and to stay in government - and to do the best for the Palestinian people.

Fatah was in government for 12 years - and what did it achieve for us? Very little.

We see that Hamas doesn't have a chance and Fatah is playing a part in this. Each party wants to be in control of the government - instead they should be working together.

It's very difficult to give up something we've been brought up to believe in.

LIFE IN GAZA Fathi Tobail Mona Yousef Mamoun Abushahla Majeda al- Saqqa

My grandfather died in the 1948 war. My brother was killed in the first intifada. He was 12, and the IDF shot him on his way to school.

People have been sacrificing their lives to fight for their rights. Every house in Gaza has a story like this: a prisoner or someone killed by Israel.

I would rather Hamas left the government than change its principles. Hamas promised to maintain the resistance; that's why it was elected.