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Abbas powerless to stop Gaza war

Fatah sources say that few world leaders have sought President Mahmoud Abbas' assistance in resolving the Gaza war, exposing Abbas' limited influence in dealing with Hamas and Israel.
RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - JULY 13:  In this handout photo provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (C) meets with the Central Committee of the Fatah movement July 13, 2014 in Ramallah, West Bank. The total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since Monday has reached 166, according to a Palestinian Health Ministry official.  (Photo by Thaer Ghanaim/PPO via Getty Images)

The current war on Gaza is sure to have some unexpected consequences. It will likely weaken the PLO-led Palestinian government and place in hibernation the PLO-Hamas reconciliation agreement.

For years, two contradictory strategies have been considered by the Palestinians. On one hand, the peace route has been endorsed by President Mahmoud Abbas, who has fought hard to keep it going, to ensure that security coordination with Israel takes place and at the same time sought to bring about change in Gaza through elections. On the other hand, Hamas and Islamic Jihad believe that liberation will only come by way of military resistance.

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