BEIJING: After Fatah said its officials would meet in Beijing this month with Hamas counterparts, China on Tuesday expressed willingness to facilitate “reconciliation” between rival Palestinian factions.
Monday’s statement by the deputy secretary general of Fatah’s central committee, Sabri Saidam, indicated that the two sides would be meeting Chinese leaders in Beijing on July 20th and 21st.
Fatah informed its sources that their representation will be led by deputy head Mahmud Alul while Hamas representation will be headed by its Qatar-based political chief Ismail Haniyeh.
On Tuesday, when asked about the comments, Beijing said it would “publish information at an appropriate time”.
This was stated by foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian who also added that “China has always supported all sides in Palestine to achieve reconciliation and unity through dialogue and negotiation”.
The last quote says “China is willing to develop dialogue and reconciliation, provide a platform and create opportunities for all parties on Palestine issue”.
Furthermore he said that; “China is willing to strengthen communication with all parties working hard to realize the aim of Palestine’s domestic reconciliation.”
Hamas fighters ejected Fatah from Gaza Strip after deadly clashes following a resounding victory in a 2006 election for Hamas.
Since capturing Gaza in 2007, the Islamist Hamas movement has ruled the territory.
Palestinian Authority which controls West Bank under partial administrative control is run by secularist Fatah movement.
There have been several failed attempts at reconciliation but calls for unity have intensified since Hamas launched attacks on Israel on October 7 sparking off the Gaza war with violence also increasing markedly in Fatah-based West Bank.
Both Fatah and Hamas were brought together by China in April but their scheduled meeting this June was postponed
While still maintaining a good relationship with Israel, China has positioned itself as a more neutral player than US over Israeli-Palestinian conflict advocating two-state solution.
