Disagreement over facts characterizes much conflict and is probably the most readily resolved. Then there is conflict which occurs out of the need one or both parties have simply to fight, no matter about what. The conflict is a goal in itself. It releases tension perhaps. Finally, the explanation for the conflict may be a low capacity for cooperative conflict resolution within the context.
Goals are the more or less acknowledged objectives of parties in a conflict.
They usually can put them into words. If you wish to end the conflict, you must do this or that. A conflict is constantly moving and changing. Even if parties are at stalemate, aspects of the conflict context will be changing. Dynamics such as unrestrained escalation and polarization carry participants away from cooperative resolution toward greater hostility.