Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has virtually no chance of regaining authority over the Gaza region, according to Middle East expert Dr. Mordechai Kedar of the Begin-Sadat Center at Bar-Ilan University. He added that Israel has no obligation to allow passage from Gaza so long as Gaza terrorists are fighting among themselves.

He also said that the political situation in Gaza is complicated because Hamas is splintered between deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and more extremist elements. The situation since the Hamas military takeover in June has left Fatah supporters more impoverished, Dr. Kedar stated.