Palestinians describe how they think divisions between the separate administrations of Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza are becoming more entrenched.

SHAIMA, 22, GAZA CITY

We are running out of lots of materials because Israel is blocking the borders.

Food, every day materials, medicine - it's very hard to find what you want. And it's all much more expensive. Things which used to cost one or two shekels now cost five or six.

The electricity supply is normal so far. We have a small generator, which we use for important things like the refrigerator, for television news and for my computer. But the cost of fuel makes using the generator expensive.

There used to be lots of explosions, but since Hamas took control, there is more quiet.

Hamas are always searching houses for weapons, they then remove them, which is a good thing.

We want Fatah and Hamas to work together - for us - not for themselves. If they thought about us as people, they wouldn't attack each other.

I don't like to be pessimistic, because this leads to depression. So I would like to think that both sides will talk to each other.

We have no problems with who control us, so long as they provide us with a good life.

KHALED, 45, DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA

The siege [by Israel] is affecting all aspects of life. You cannot find construction materials or spare parts for household goods or computers.

The cost of basic commodities, such as flour and rice has gone up between 15 and 45%. People are spending much less on meat, chicken and fish. The World Health Organization recently said 70% of schoolchildren are suffering from anaemia.

People who are on the Ramallah government payroll are being paid - except those affiliated to Hamas. [Hamas leader] Ismail Haniya is paying 17,000 people who are working with him.

But the private sector is collapsing, including the agricultural sector.

The rift between the two governments is deepening. Hamas is creating an entirely separate legal system here in Gaza.

They've established a higher justice council and have recruited 20 new prosecutors.

Hamas calls for dialogue in public, to cover the fact it is creating a parallel system in Gaza.

Once the separation of Gaza is complete, the blame will be put on Abbas and his people, because they are the ones publicly refusing to enter dialogue.

ADLI DAS, NABLUS, WEST BANK

Economically, the situation is improving: Palestinian Authorities employees are being paid, shops are open.

People have more money to run a car, so there is more traffic on the streets.

National security troops are guarding all parts of Nablus city and people are feeling more secure. I think this is in response to the security Hamas imposed in Gaza, it was showing up Fatah in the West Bank.

Two militia men from Balata camp recently surrendered to police. A policeman has just told me they have retrieved about 60 automatic rifles from the camp and elsewhere in the last two days.

That's the good side of things. The bad side is that there are more than 500 Israeli military checkpoints across the West Bank.

If I want to reach my farm, which is in a village about 10 minutes away, I now have to drive for more than three hours to get there.

Politically, Hamas and Fatah are far apart. I can't see them negotiating with each other.

People say the US-sponsored conference [in November] is a photo opportunity for the Saudi and Israeli officials. I suspect it will be a waste of time.

WADI, 40, EAST JERUSALEM

At least the Palestinian Authority is now able to pay employees in Gaza and the West Bank.

People have more cash in their pockets and it's reinvigorating the economy in the West Bank.

But the Israelis haven't changed their closure policy - there are checkpoints throughout the West Bank.

Politically, the situation is very bad. We are supposed to have elections in 2008. But I don't think either Hamas or Fatah would accept a negative result.

Right now I think the ideological differences between the two sides are too great to bridge.

My heart goes out to the people in Gaza. They are the ones paying the price for all this.

I do think Hamas should recognise Israel.

If nothing comes out of the US meeting in November, maybe Fatah might find itself closer to Hamas than it is now and the two sides will have to sit down and talk.

As long as both sides follow two different courses, they won't.