Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, have signed a historic agreement in China aimed at establishing a national unity government to maintain Palestinian control over Gaza after the current conflict with Israel ends. The deal, which includes 14 Palestinian groups, was finalized after three days of intensive talks and is seen as a significant step towards reconciliation.
The agreement, described as going further than previous attempts, outlines plans for an interim national unity government, unified Palestinian leadership, elections, and unity in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks. The move towards a unity government is crucial as it aims to block Israeli control over Gaza post-war.
The reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, bitter rivals since 2006, is considered a key turning point in Palestinian internal relations. While past reconciliation attempts have failed, the urgency to unite against Israeli aggression has prompted the factions to set aside their differences.
Israel, however, strongly opposes any Hamas involvement in governing Gaza and has vowed to maintain control over the enclave. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized the agreement, claiming that Hamas’s rule will be crushed, and Abbas will only be able to watch Gaza from afar.
China, which has been advocating for peace in the conflict, hosted the talks and has historically been supportive of the Palestinian cause. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that reconciliation is an internal matter for the Palestinians but requires international support.
The signing of the agreement, known as the “Beijing Declaration,” represents a significant step towards unity among Palestinians and could potentially pave the way for a lasting resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
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