Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, reached an agreement in China to end their long-standing divisions and establish an interim national unity government. This agreement, formalized in the “Beijing Declaration,” was signed at the conclusion of a three-day reconciliation dialogue held from July 21 to 23, involving 14 Palestinian factions.
Previous reconciliation attempts led by Egypt and other Arab nations have failed to bridge the gap between Hamas and Fatah, resulting in 17 years of power-sharing conflict that has weakened Palestinian political aspirations. It remains uncertain whether this latest agreement will be successful in resolving the complex realities on the ground.
These talks occurred amidst international efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. One of the key issues being debated is the “day-after” plan, which addresses the future governance of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip after the end of the current conflict, which began on October 7.
Hussam Badran, a senior Hamas official, highlighted the formation of a Palestinian national unity government as the most significant aspect of the Beijing Declaration. He emphasized the government’s role in managing Palestinian affairs, stating that it would act as a barrier against external interventions that aim to impose solutions contrary to the interests of the Palestinian people.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, criticized the agreement on X, asserting that his goal is to dismantle Hamas, an Iran-backed group, and that he opposes any role for Hamas in a post-war Gaza administration. He accused Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas of embracing “murderers and rapists” by supporting Hamas, claiming that Hamas’ rule will ultimately be crushed. Katz stated that Israel’s security would remain solely in its own hands.
Badran outlined the responsibilities of the national unity government, which would encompass managing Palestinian affairs in both Gaza and the West Bank, overseeing reconstruction efforts, and preparing for future elections. Currently, Hamas governs Gaza, while Fatah forms the core of the Palestinian Authority, which has limited control in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. No immediate response has been received from Fatah.
The agreement lacks specifics regarding a timeline for forming a new government. In March, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads Fatah, appointed a new government headed by his close aide, Mohammad Mustafa.
Ashraf Abouelhoul, an expert on Palestinian affairs, expressed skepticism about the implementation of previous similar declarations, suggesting that any significant progress would require U.S. approval. He emphasized that the United States, Israel, and Britain oppose the inclusion of Hamas in any post-war governance structure, rejecting the formation of a unity government that includes Hamas. Abouelhoul, managing editor of the Egyptian state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram, characterized the China meeting as merely a celebratory event that cannot resolve the underlying issues between Palestinian factions within three days.
Despite these reservations, the agreement represents a diplomatic victory for Beijing and its growing influence, following its successful mediation of a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran last year.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the “core achievement” of the agreement is the confirmation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. China expressed its support for Palestinian independence through internal reconciliation and its willingness to work with relevant parties to implement the Beijing Declaration.
Wang identified the agreement on forming an interim national reconciliation government for post-war Gaza governance as the most prominent aspect of the declaration. He advocated for international support for the formation of an interim Palestinian government to oversee both Gaza and the West Bank.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad are not members of the PLO, the highest Palestinian decision-making body, but they demand inclusion in any unity agreement through elections for the PLO parliament. These Islamist groups disagree with the current PLO regarding peace accords with Israel.
A statement attributed to Badran highlights the timing of the declaration, emphasizing its significance in the face of “genocidal war,” particularly in the Gaza Strip.
The first meeting between Hamas and Fatah in Beijing occurred in April, focused on reconciliation efforts to address 17 years of disputes. This marked the first known public visit of a Hamas delegation to China since the war in Gaza began. The second round of talks, originally scheduled for last month, was delayed due to mutual accusations between the two factions.
Past attempts to bridge the political rift between the long-feuding Palestinian factions have failed, including the expulsion of Fatah from Gaza by Hamas fighters in a brief war in 2007.
In recent months, Chinese officials have become more vocal in advocating for the Palestinians in international forums, calling for a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian peace conference and a specific timeline for the implementation of a two-state solution.