There is a sense of despair among all pragmatic political factions in the Palestinian Authority (PA). Even the most moderate elements with good ties to the West have given up on the eventuality of a diplomatic process leading to a two-state solution. This is perceived by public opinion as a defeat for President Mahmoud Abbas and an achievement for Hamas.

A senior Fatah source in Hebron with good ties to the Tanzim (Fatah militia) told Al-Monitor on Dec. 4 on condition of anonymity that a battle has erupted between Fatah and Hamas as to who will lead a violent intifada against Israel. According to his analysis, there is nothing left anymore of the Palestinian national unity. Hamas is inciting the violence of the youth, and Fatah has imprisoned many West Bank Hamas operatives.

The source, who is also close to the imprisoned Marwan Barghouti, a senior Fatah official, told Al-Monitor, “The militants in Fatah are ready to give Abbas one last chance to achieve a Security Council resolution on Palestinian statehood along the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital and with a relatively short timeline. If that is not achieved, we will opt for a change of strategy. Fatah opposes terror, but will take the lead on a violent uprising. We don't support the current violence of our courageous youth, and our security forces are curbing it, yet the anger and frustration in the West Bank are so widespread that bigger violence will erupt sooner or later.”

“An intifada must be led strategically and have strategic goals,” the source said. “The target must be, first and foremost, to capture international attention to the predicament of the Palestinians and, then, also to influence Israeli public opinion by demonstrating that occupation has its price. The message, therefore, of the intifada, which in some ways has already begun, will be Palestinian independence.”