Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, signed a declaration in Beijing to end their divisions, according to Chinese state media.
The aim of the Beijing Declaration is to “end their divisions and strengthen Palestinian unity,” CNN reported citing the Chinese broadcaster CCTV.
Beijing Declaration
Following a reconciliation dialogue bringing together the Palestinian factions, in Beijing, held from July 21-23, a total of 14 Palestinian factions signed the declaration on Tuesday. It came after many failed attempts to end the yearslong rift between the two rival groups, Hamas and Fatah.
China has tried to mediate as a peace broker in the war between Hamas and Israel. The war, which has entered its 9th month, has so far killed around 40,000 Palestinians and sparked a dire humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Palestinian factions. He praised the agreement, saying it was “dedicated to the great reconciliation and unity of all 14 factions.” He noted that China was keen to “play a constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Postwar Gaza
Wang said that the declaration, which involves Hamas and Fatah, aims to establish a reconciliation government. “The core outcome is that the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) is the sole legitimate representative of all Palestinian people… an agreement has been reached on post Gaza war governance and the establishment of a provisional national reconciliation government.”
“Reconciliation is an internal matter for the Palestinian factions, but at the same time, it cannot be achieved without the support of the international community,” Wang added.
However, it is not clear what Hamas’ role will be in postwar Gaza or what direct impacts will this agreement have. The talks came at a time of increased uncertainty regarding the governance of the Palestinian territories amid the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Historic Junction
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, the representative of Hamas delegation, Mousa Abu Marzook, noted that the agreement aims to complete a course of reconciliation. “Today we sign an agreement for national unity and we say that the path to completing this journey is national unity. We are committed to national unity and we call for it,” he said.
“We are at a historic junction. Our people are rising up in their efforts to struggle,” Abu Marzook said, adding that the October 7 attack had “changed a lot, both in international and regional landscape.”
The signing of the agreement in Beijing came as the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to Washington on a scheduled visit where he will meet with top US administration officials and deliver a speech to a joint meeting of Congress.
It also coincides with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s remarks that a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel appears in sight.
Fatah and Hamas Rivalry
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is a coalition of parties that signed a peace agreement with Israel in 1993, known as the Oslo Accords, and formed a new government in the Palestinian Authority (PA). Fatah dominates the PLO and the PA. Meanwhile, Hamas does not recognize Israel.
The PA was in control of Gaza until 2007, when Hamas won the legislative election in 2006 in the Strip and expelled Fatah. Since then, Hamas controls Gaza, while Fatah governs parts of the West Bank.
Both sides have a long history of rivalry and tried many times to reach an agreement to unite the Palestinian territories under one government. They reached an agreement in 2017, but it quickly failed and ended in violence.
