Following the announcement of joint talks between Fatah and Hamas under Chinese sponsorship, and the latter's confirmation last April that both sides expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue, the two parties held meetings this week. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed on Tuesday the agreement among 14 Palestinian factions to form a temporary national reconciliation government to manage Gaza after the war.
Wang stated during the signing of the "Beijing Declaration" by the factions in the Chinese capital, Beijing, that the most crucial point is the agreement on forming a temporary national reconciliation government for managing Gaza after the conflict. This development came after Palestinian factions met and held reconciliation dialogues in Beijing from July 21 to 23, according to China Central Television (CCTV).
The television confirmed that the two movements signed the "Beijing Declaration" regarding the reconciliation dialogue. It also added in a social media post that leaders of the Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas will meet with media representatives in Beijing today, in the presence of Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
It was revealed that a total of 14 Palestinian factions will attend the meeting, according to China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Hamas: Committed to National Unity
For his part, Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk announced that the movement has signed with Fatah and other Palestinian factions an agreement for "national unity" during the meeting in China. Abu Marzouk stated, "The movement signed today an agreement for national unity, considering that the way to complete this journey is through national unity." He added, "We are committed to national unity and call for it."
This comes months after the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced last April that both sides expressed a desire for dialogue. The ministry's spokesman, Zhao Lijian, at that time said that both parties conveyed a political desire to achieve Palestinian reconciliation through dialogue.
He also added at a regular press conference that representatives from both movements had recently come to Beijing to conduct a deep and candid dialogue aimed at promoting reconciliation. Later, another spokesperson from the ministry, Hua Chunying, clarified on the platform "X" that both sides discussed several topics and made "encouraging progress," noting that they agreed to continue dialogue to achieve Palestinian unity.
It is worth mentioning that since the outbreak of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, both sides have exchanged accusations multiple times, holding each other responsible for the outcome of the Palestinian cause. Nonetheless, Moscow hosted a similar meeting between the two sides last February, which addressed the issue of forming a Palestinian unity government and reconstructing Gaza, but it did not achieve significant progress, and a new government was later formed with faces described as "technocrats."
The relationship between the two Palestinian movements has seen numerous disputes and attempts at reconciliation over the past years, mediated by Egypt, Doha, and other Arab parties.
