dawaxman
Gheorge Popescu
I don't have anywhere near a well enough educated answer to that.
That is a little simplistic, but based on the activities in and coming out of the West Bank, Hamas do not represent the interests of the Palestinian people.
Whether they represent the interests (or will) of the people of Gaza is more difficult to answer. Hamas clearly represent the interests of Hamas and of what Hamas considers a religious ideology (IE the eradication of Israel. I don't actually know if that extends to eradication of the Jews, or just of Israel. I probably should know that). Whether that is the interest of, or will of, Gaza people (Gazians?), I have absolutely no idea.
I don't consider the 18 year "election" to be an indicator.
Again, it is almost certainly simplistic, but the logical (not necessarily sensible) solution would be for the half of the world that doesn't recognise Palestine as a Sovereign State to recognise them and work with them to ensure an election of internationally recognised standard is undertaken.
However, that will almost certainly result in Hamas coming to power across in Palestine (whether by vote or by bomb, much like ISIS etc have elsewhere) either at the election or afterwards.
There is no solution other than scorchered earth.
Hamas (and any other synonym for religious ideation manifesting itself in violence - whether by terrorist group or sovereign state; often a fine line between the two) are clearly disgusting by western standards (until the west actually examines itself) - but they consider their actions as justified by a fairy story. As does Israel. Both are wrong. Or right. Depending on political/religious views.
We pretend like this is a modern world problem. It isn't. It's a fight over a piece of land. If they can't agree to act reasonably towards eachotherother (in whatever method), maybe neither should be allowed the land. Make it a religious theme park. They clearly can't be trusted to share.
Great post bar the final paragraph
For Israel it's a fight to defend itself*
For Hamas it's a fight to eradicate the Jewish people
*let's please not get into a discussion on the way Israel has chosen to defend itself, it's complex and impossible to conprehend from the safety of our homes in the UK and other non war zones