CBNNews.com -- RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Instead of peace and unity, a new onslaught of violence could be the offspring of "negotiations" Wednesday between the competing militant factions Hamas and Fatah.

Discussions about the formation of a new coalition government went awry in Damascus, Syria, despite prior reports of considerable progress taking place in the preceding days.

Hopes to put an end to the long-lasting hostilities between the rivaling groups were dashed when officials reported that the chief negotiator for Fatah left the Syrian capital before leaving any apparent plans for furthered talks.

However, deputy head of Hamas' politburo Moussa Abu Marzouk asserted that "Negotiations were good. There was positive talk about all the subjects that have been raised. All parties are supposed to be positive." He concluded, "We are about to achieve a partnership as this needs constant dialogue."

Since Fatah's President Mahmoud Abbas lost the Palestinian legislative elections to Hamas one year ago, the groups have been at constant strife.

Even though an international boycott has been enacted against the new Hamas government, its leaders remain determined to annihilate Israel. The Fatah movement, on the other hand, would like to enter peace talks its their Israeli neighbors.

Hamas has been urged by Abbas to enter into a more moderate coalition with his group, yet these negotiations came to an abrupt close when 35 Palestinians died in a round of political violence that started in the Gaza Strip last November.

Source: The Associated Press