Unreported World: Gaza: The Bullet And The Ballot Box

Unreported World visits Gaza as the Israeli forces complete their withdrawal from the territory and asks whether the Palestinians will choose violent resistance or diplomatic negotiation in their continuing struggle to bring about an independent state. Reporter Sandra Jordan begins her journey talking to Palestinian prisoners held at a maximum security prison wing in the south of Israel. They believe that violence is the only reason that the Israelis left Gaza and that the armed struggle led by militant group Hamas is the only way to bring about a viable Palestinian state. Meanwhile the Palestinian Authority is struggling to convince its people that negotiations are responsible for the pullout. Jordan meets senior Hamas militants in their Gaza City stronghold, where the Palestinian Authority's control is tenuous. They confirm their belief that only more violence will win more concessions. Hamas is not just building its military strength, but also standing for election, and capitalising on the people's disillusion with the official Palestinian authorities. Last January, in seven out of ten councils, Hamas candidates defeated their Fatah rivals. Alarmed, the Palestinian Authority has postponed parliamentary elections. While the low level cross-border violence continues, Jordan meets the families caught in the crossfire. Reporter: Sandra Jordan;