On April 27th, Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah inked a historic agreement in Beijing aimed at ending their years-long animosity and forming a unity government. This development was announced by Chinese state media on Tuesday amid ongoing war in Gaza and international efforts to secure ceasefire.
The declaration came after talks with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, and it is considered crucial to bridging the vast gap between the two main Palestinian political factions.However, previous reconciliation attempts have been unsuccessful as demonstrated by 2011’s similar deal hence doubts surrounding any possibility of China sponsored peace talks becoming fruitful.
This agreement was reached as Israel and Hamas weigh an internationally supported truce plan that could end the nine-month conflict and secure Israel’s hostages held by Hamas. However, who will govern Gaza next remains up in air since Israel does not want Hamas involved while America wants Fatah-dominated Palestinian authority to take control of Gaza post-war.
Hamas says it doesn’t want to return back to governing Gaza but suggests formation of a technocratic government involving different Palestinian factions. The proposed administration would conduct elections for both West Bank and Gaza to create a consolidated Palestinian national administration.
The Beijing Declaration “ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity” was signed by these factions plus 12 others. Although no specifics about this new formation were given in the joint statement from their deliberations on Thursday afternoon which emphasized adherence principles needed towards creating a sovereign nation based upon its borders recognized since 1967.
Fatah has controlled parts of the West Bank while Hamas seized power through a coup d’etat in Gaza in 2007.The split has endured despite many failed attempts at closing ranks due to power struggles internally or international conditions. The Biden Administration has suggested reforming the PA into another kind of governance structure for postwar governance over Gaza strip; however, this proposal has been rejected by Israeli officials without offering any alternative solution.
Lastly, Islamic Jihad, which is another smaller group affiliated to Hamas, has condemned any accord that recognizes Israel and demanded that PLO withdraws its recognition of Israel.
