Palestinian factions including rivals Hamas and Fatah have signed an agreement on “ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity” in Beijing.
China’s Foreign Ministry disclosed that the announcement followed reconciliation talks hosted by China involving 14 Palestinian factions which started on Sunday.
According to Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, the deal, finalised on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, after the three days of intensive talks, lays the groundwork for an “interim national reconciliation government” to rule post-war Gaza.
The agreement was signed by long-term rivals Hamas and Fatah, as well as 12 other Palestinian groups.
The Chinese Foreign Minister said that the agreement was “dedicated to the great reconciliation and unity of all 14 factions.”
“The core outcome is that the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) is the sole legitimate representative of all Palestinian people,” Wang said, adding that “an agreement has been reached on post-Gaza war governance and the establishment of a provisional national reconciliation government.”
It was unclear from Wang’s comments what role Hamas, which is not part of the PLO, would play in such a arrangement, or what the immediate impact of any deal would be.
The PLO is a coalition of parties that signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1993, and formed a new government in the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Fatah dominates both the PLO and the PA, the interim Palestinian government that was established in the Israeli-occupied West Bank after the 1993 agreement known as the Oslo Accords was signed. Hamas does not recognize Israel.
Reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah would be a key turning point in internal Palestinian relations. The two main Palestinian political parties in the Palestinian territory have been bitter rivals since conflict arose in 2006, after which Hamas seized control of Gaza.
At a press conference on Tuesday in Beijing, Hamas delegation representative, Mousa Abu Marzouk asserted that they had reached an agreement to complete a “course of reconciliation,” while also using the platform in Beijing to defend the group’s October 7 attack on Israel.
“We’re at a historic junction. Our people are rising up in their efforts to struggle,” Abu Marzook said, according to a translation provided by China’s Foreign Ministry, adding that the October 7 operation had “changed a lot, both in international and regional landscape.”
Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, one of the 14 factions to sign the accord, told a news agency that the agreement goes “much further” than any other reached in recent years.
He said that its four main elements are the establishment of an interim national unity government, the formation of unified Palestinian leadership ahead of future elections, the free election of a new Palestinian National Council, and a general declaration of unity in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks.
Barghouti noted that the move towards a unity government is especially important because it “blocks Israeli efforts to create some sort of collaborative structure against Palestinian interests.”
Barghouti emphasized that the war in Gaza was the “main factor” motivating the Palestinian sides to set aside their differences.
“There is no other way now but for Palestinians to be unified and struggle together against this terrible injustice,” he said.
“The most important thing now is to not only sign the agreement, but to implement it,” he added.
Israel Slams Unity Agreement Between Palestinian Factions
Israel was quick to slam the announced deal.
Targeting Fatah chief and Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas for cooperating with Hamas, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel Katz in an X post, reasserted his government’s stance that no one but Israel will control Gaza following the end of hostilities.
“Hamas and Fatah signed an agreement in China for joint control of Gaza after the war. Instead of rejecting terrorism, Mahmoud Abbas embraces the murderers and rapists of Hamas, revealing his true face.
“In reality, this won’t happen because Hamas’s rule will be crushed, and Abbas will be watching Gaza from afar.”
Israel Katz
“Israel’s security will remain solely in Israel’s hands,” Katz stated.
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