Historic Accord: Palestinian Factions Hamas & Fatah Unite in Beijing

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In a significant diplomatic move, rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, along with 12 other groups, have signed an agreement in Beijing aimed at ending their longstanding division and fostering unity. This reconciliation was brokered by China and announced by Chinese state media, marking an attempt to bridge the deep-rooted schism as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues in Gaza.

 

China has positioned itself as a peace broker, seeking to expand its influence in the Middle East. The agreement was reached during talks held in Beijing, where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the dedication to achieving "great reconciliation and unity" among all factions. He highlighted the recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and noted an agreement on governance after the Gaza conflict, including the formation of a provisional national reconciliation government. However, Wang's comments left unclear the specific role of Hamas, which is not part of the PLO, and the immediate effects of this agreement. 

 

The PLO, a coalition of parties that signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1993, established the Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern the West Bank. Fatah, dominating both the PLO and the PA, remains opposed to Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007 following its electoral victory and subsequent expulsion of the PA from the region. This historical enmity between Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank has resulted in multiple failed reconciliation attempts, including a 2017 agreement which quickly disintegrated into violence. Under the deal, a new unity government was supposed to take administrative control of Gaza two months later, ending a decade of rivalry that began when Hamas violently evicted the Palestinian Authority from Gaza in 2007. But the deal’s lofty aspirations quickly collapsed. When Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah visited Gaza in March 2018, he was the target of an assassination attempt when a bomb detonated near his convoy. Hamdallah’s Fatah party immediately blamed Hamas for the attack.

 

During a press conference in Beijing, Mousa Abu Marzook, representing Hamas, announced an agreement to pursue reconciliation, while also defending the group's October 7 actions against Israel, describing them as transformative in both the international and regional landscape. This comes as China presents itself as a voice for the Global South, supporting Palestinian statehood and criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza, though it has refrained from condemning Hamas for its attacks on October 7. 

 

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for an international peace conference, positioning Beijing as a key player amid waning US influence in the region. This agreement coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States, where he is engaging with top officials and addressing Congress amid ongoing military operations in Gaza. Following Hamas' October 7 attack, which resulted in significant casualties and kidnappings, Israel's response has caused widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

 

The current agreement in Beijing reflects a renewed attempt to establish unified Palestinian governance, but faces formidable challenges due to complex historical, political, and regional dynamics. While the agreement holds promise, its success depends on overcoming deep-seated rivalries and navigating the intricate geopolitical landscape.

 

Credit: CNN 2024-07-24

 

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