GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Islamist movement Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip are trying to hold on to hope, despite dwindling chances, that international and regional efforts will help alleviate Gaza’s crisis and prevent a military confrontation with Israel. However, the factions seem more worried about Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' continued obstruction of such actions.

In fact, Hamas says Abbas appears to be pushing Israel to launch a new war on the Gaza Strip.

With Cairo's involvement, Israel and Hamas seemed close to reaching an agreement last month, until Abbas’ threats brought the indirect truce talks to a halt. Abbas threatened to impose new sanctions against the already suffering Gaza Strip if Hamas went through with the deal without involving the PLO. Abbas also demands that Hamas turn over Gaza to the Palestinian government in Ramallah, the West Bank.

Conflict between the two main Palestinian political parties — Abbas' Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip — resulted in the violent split of the PA in 2007.