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AP Interview: Hamas deputy chief says militant group does not want another war with Israel

Associated Press
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Palestinian Senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Gaza City, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. Hamas' No. 2 leader says the Islamic militant group does not want another war with Israel but suggests more fighting is inevitable unless Israel ends its blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza. Marzouk said in an interview Thursday that Hamas emerged stronger from the recent 50-day war, despite military setbacks. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (The Associated Press)

Palestinian Senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk, listens during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Gaza City, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. Hamas' No. 2 leader says the Islamic militant group does not want another war with Israel but suggests more fighting is inevitable unless Israel ends its blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza. Marzouk said in an interview Thursday that Hamas emerged stronger from the recent 50-day war, despite military setbacks. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (The Associated Press)

Palestinian Senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Gaza City, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. Hamas' No. 2 leader says the Islamic militant group does not want another war with Israel but suggests more fighting is inevitable unless Israel ends its blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza. Marzouk said in an interview Thursday that Hamas emerged stronger from the recent 50-day war, despite military setbacks. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (The Associated Press)

Hamas' No. 2 leader says the Islamic militant group does not want another war with Israel but suggests more fighting is inevitable unless Israel ends its blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Moussa Abu Marzouk said in an interview Thursday that Hamas emerged stronger from the recent 50-day war, despite military setbacks.

A new poll indicated growing popular support for Hamas at the expense of its rival, Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas seized Gaza from Abbas in 2007.

Israel, Hamas and Abbas are expected to negotiate a new border deal for Gaza, but it's not clear when talks will begin.

Abu Marzouk says failure to reach a deal will lead to another war. He says that "we don't want that and the Israelis, I guess, don't like to see that again."