RAMALLAH, West Bank – After bitter rival Hamas held its own in a fierce battle with Israel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has no choice but to override U.S. objections and seek U.N. recognition of a state of Palestine next week, his aides said Friday.

But even such recognition, likely to be granted, may not be enough for the Western-backed proponent of non-violence and a peace deal with Israel to stay relevant and counter the soaring popularity of Gaza’s Hamas militants.

Abbas – formally the leader of all Palestinians but only in charge in parts of the West Bank – was in trouble even before being relegated to the role of spectator as Israel and Hamas fought for eight days, starting Nov. 14, then negotiated a truce with the help of Egypt that could lead to easing Israel’s long-standing Gaza border blockade.