Hong Kong, February 23, 2024 — Palestinian factions, including the rival groups Hamas and Fatah, have signed a significant agreement in Beijing aimed at ending their longstanding division and fostering Palestinian unity. The announcement, made by China’s Foreign Ministry, follows reconciliation talks hosted by China involving 14 Palestinian factions, beginning on Sunday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the agreement as pivotal for the reconciliation and unity of all Palestinian factions. The core outcome of the deal is the recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The agreement also includes provisions for post-Gaza war governance and the establishment of a provisional national reconciliation government.
The role of Hamas, which is not part of the PLO, in this new arrangement remains unclear, as does the immediate impact of the deal. The talks occur amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with Israel having vowed to eliminate Hamas following its October 7 attack.
Historical Context
The PLO, which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1993, has been dominated by Fatah, which governs the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank. Hamas, which won the 2006 legislative elections, has ruled Gaza since 2007 after expelling the PA. Previous reconciliation efforts, including a 2017 agreement brokered by Egypt, have failed to resolve the division between Hamas and Fatah.
Current Developments
Mustafa Barghouti, president of the Palestinian National Initiative, noted that this new agreement includes specific steps towards forming a consensus government. The unity is partly driven by a shared opposition to Israeli policies.
Despite the progress, many Palestinians remain skeptical about the reconciliation’s potential for substantial change, citing unresolved issues and past failures in achieving unity.
China’s Role
China has positioned itself as a mediator in the Middle East, seeking to bolster its influence in the region. This agreement follows earlier talks between Hamas and Fatah hosted by Beijing and aligns with China’s broader diplomatic efforts to support Palestinian statehood and challenge Western dominance in the region.
The agreement was announced as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the U.S., where he is meeting with top officials and addressing Congress amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
