The hostages are free!

ronib

How on earth can Hamas be a legitimate government when the last election was held 20 years ago? Are you redefining democracy? growstuff

No, I'm not. You are defining democracy in your own terms. If course it's the legitimate government, until it's formally overthrown or there is a new election. At he moment, nobody else has the right to claim governance of Gaza.

Try searching for a universal version of democracy especially in terms of how long a democratic decision is valid. You'll struggle.

PS. If votes have a time limitation, does that mean we can forget about a vote which happened in 2016 in the UK?

Not democracy but tyranny

Democracy. - elected representatives. What a joke.

Trump did not do this on his own. Many others were involved in securing the release of hostages. Let us not over praise the man , his head is big enough already.
Many women hostages were released over the past two years as reported in The Guardian on Saturday .

ronib

Democracy. - elected representatives. What a joke.

"Democracy" and "tyranny" are words in a dictionary. How you personally interpret them is subjective. The fact is that Hamas governs Gaza as a result of the last election, however long ago it was.

You (and nobody else) can't decide you don't like the government and just replace them with people of your choosing, if you seriously want to maintain any pretence of democracy.

Susieq62

Trump did not do this on his own. Many others were involved in securing the release of hostages. Let us not over praise the man , his head is big enough already.
Many women hostages were released over the past two years as reported in The Guardian on Saturday .

I actually think Trump is being strung along. He was needed as the figurehead of a truce because he is the leader of the richest country in the world and wields a huge amount of power. The way to get Trump to do what you want is to feed his ego by telling him how wonderful he is.

Hamas is governing Gaza due to its friends in Iran, Qatar and who knows where else? If this is your idea of a government, that’s fine but it doesn’t correspond to how most people think a government should operate.
I hope Trump knows how to remove Hamas from Gaza and the West Bank. It will be vital for the peace of the whole region. The option is continuous war.
growstuff

butterandjam

I did not want to watch the reuniting with family; it felt horribly intrusive .

Readjustment to home life, long lost family and freedom is probably going to be very tough and rocky for all parties , I wish them well.

I know what you mean, watched bits as it made me cry. I can’t help thinking of the poor mum with the two little red headed kids. Did they get killed?

Mt61

butterandjam

I did not want to watch the reuniting with family; it felt horribly intrusive .

Readjustment to home life, long lost family and freedom is probably going to be very tough and rocky for all parties , I wish them well.

I know what you mean, watched bits as it made me cry. I can’t help thinking of the poor mum with the two little red headed kids. Did they get killed?

The mother and children were taken hostage and murdered the father also a hostage was released a couple of months ago.

He was told by family on his release that his beautiful little family had been murdered.

There’s such raw evil in this story. GG13.

ronib

There’s such raw evil in this story. GG13.

I have to be very careful when on threads regarding Hamas, as if I posted my true thoughts I would no doubt be banned.

ronib - I suppose that Hamas has only had Fatah as an opposition party and we are judging the political regime according to what we are used to with regular elections and a Parliament.

It has been a Government but if there are no elections from time to time no-one can be sure if the majority of the Gazans still support them as that has never been tested.

I really hope there will be peace but I am curious to see what will happen when Hamas continually refuse to disarm as required by the 20-point peace plan.

ronib

There’s such raw evil in this story. GG13.

I think the daddy, who survived, said that they were separated from him right at the start. Not surprising really, as those evil perpetrators don't understand family like the rest of us. So sad.

Yes I'mhlad but call me cynical, it will all kick off again....just a matter of time,sadly......but pleased nevertheless

Who do you think would ban you GG? Nobody on any Thread I have been on.

Both sides have to conform to the agreement,

Mojack26

Yes I'mhlad but call me cynical, it will all kick off again....just a matter of time,sadly......but pleased nevertheless

If you are around my age, late 70's, then we have grown up with the tinderbox which is the Middle East. I sincerely hope that this latest peace proposal will succeed and history doesn't repeat itself.

As many have already mentioned which I agree. They will be feeling great to be free but once the reality of having two years in captivity could affect them terribly. One only has to remember how the men (can’t remember names ) who were taken captive for a long time with Terry Waite reacted.

ronib

Hamas is governing Gaza due to its friends in Iran, Qatar and who knows where else? If this is your idea of a government, that’s fine but it doesn’t correspond to how most people think a government should operate.
I hope Trump knows how to remove Hamas from Gaza and the West Bank. It will be vital for the peace of the whole region. The option is continuous war.
growstuff

This might not have occurred to you, but some people can be objective and comment on a situation with realism without emotional ranting. Of course it's not my idea of how a government should be, but the fact is (whether you like it or not), Hamas is at the moment the legitimate government of Gaza. A better government needs to be installed as quickly as possible and without violence, but so far it hasn't been. It's better that somebody (even Hamas) has some kind of authority rather than a power vacuum and total lawlessness.

PS. You have no idea what kind of support Iran or Qatar is currently giving Hamas.

For Peace to endure, and I hope it does, it has to work for the people of Gaza, the people of Israel and the West Bank.
For all of them.

Unfortunately I think that lawlessness is what is going to happen in Gaza, growstuff

I cannot see the UN or NATO putting peace keeping boots on the ground any time soon.

There are already signs of infighting between Hamas and other gangs.

I am really trying to be optimistic, but…

GrannyGravy13

Unfortunately I think that lawlessness is what is going to happen in Gaza, growstuff

I cannot see the UN or NATO putting peace keeping boots on the ground any time soon.

There are already signs of infighting between Hamas and other gangs.

I am really trying to be optimistic, but…

I feel as if I'm being unusually pessimistic but I think you're right, GrannyGravy.

We an only pray (or hope if we don't pray).

I did wondered if the UN might send in a peacekeeping force.
After all, who is going to rebuild and will these contractors need protection?

growstuffmy emotional ranting!? if you wish was caused by your seeming approval of a government without a legitimate mandate.
Hamas has just executed 8 people today. Is this lawful governance? I think not.

No one knows how involved the Arab countries are with Hamas. But there’s involvement.

Apologies for typos (oh for an edit button).