Will you protect me?

What must be in the mind of this young Palestinian boy? Would he be thinking if these new Hamas police can protect him from the continuing violence in his homeland?

Or is he wondering if these cops are the ones who will eventually cause his death? Or could it be that one day he too can stand in a parade in a truly independent nation?

Only time will tell but at the moment his lifespan depends very much on the illusive peace and comfort in his country.

Yesterday his country came under more fire from the Israelis. An Israeli helicopter air strike in the northern Gaza Strip and there was a blast in the Jabaliya refugee camp.

And today his fellow citizens set fire to the PM’s office and the parliament in Ramallah – another sign of the widening conflict between Fatah and Hamas in the political front.