In Beijing, Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, have signed an agreement to end their division and enhance Palestinian unity, according to China. This accord emerged from reconciliation talks hosted by China, involving 14 Palestinian factions. The agreement focuses on the PLO being the sole legitimate representative of Palestinians and includes plans for post-war governance and a provisional national reconciliation government.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the agreement as central to the reconciliation of all 14 factions but did not specify Hamas’s role, as it is not part of the PLO. The talks come amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which followed Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. The PLO, led by Fatah, governs parts of the West Bank, while Hamas controls Gaza, following a violent split in 2007.
At a press conference in Beijing, Hamas representative Mousa Abu Marzook confirmed their commitment to reconciliation but defended the October 7 attack, stating it had significantly altered regional dynamics. China’s involvement in this agreement highlights its growing influence in the Middle East, aiming to present itself as a peace broker, contrasting with its historical position compared to the US. The agreement was signed as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the US. The conflict has resulted in substantial casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
