Hamas and Fatah sign unity deal in Beijing for Gaza governance

Hamas and Fatah have signed a historic unity agreement in Beijing to govern Gaza, forming an interim national reconciliation government and planning future elections. The deal aims to address Palestinian internal divisions and resolve ongoing conflict with Israel. Hamas, Fatah, and twelve other factions signed the agreement, which creates a unified Palestinian leadership. Mustafa Barghouti emphasized its significance, highlighting key components such as free elections and a united front against Israeli actions. Israel rejected the agreement, maintaining its control over Gaza. China, which has supported Palestinian unity, played a role in facilitating the talks. Despite past rivalries, the Gaza war has pushed factions toward unity.

Hamas and Fatah sign unity deal in Beijing for Gaza governance

Hamas and Fatah have reached a significant unity agreement in Beijing aimed at establishing governance over Gaza. This deal, finalized after three days of talks in China, involves the creation of an interim national reconciliation government and outlines plans for future elections and a unified Palestinian leadership. The agreement is viewed as a response to internal Palestinian divisions and ongoing conflict, as well as a step toward resolving governance issues in Gaza. However, Israel has rejected the deal, reaffirming its intent to maintain control over the Gaza Strip.

The agreement, known as the “Beijing Declaration,” was signed by Hamas, Fatah, and twelve other Palestinian factions, marking a momentous development in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian unity. This pact comes in the wake of a devastating conflict with Israel, particularly the recent October 7 attack led by Hamas, and is seen as an attempt to consolidate Palestinian leadership in the face of Israeli occupation. The agreement creates an interim government that will oversee Gaza after the war’s conclusion, with the goal of fostering national unity and preparing for a future political transition.

The Chinese government played a key role in facilitating the discussions, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirming the deal’s completion. Wang emphasized the importance of international support for Palestinian reconciliation, while also noting that the matter of internal Palestinian unity should be resolved within the Palestinian leadership itself. Hamas’s Mousa Abu Marzouk described the deal as crucial for the future of Palestine, emphasizing the need for a united front in the face of continued Israeli attacks and occupation.

Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative and a prominent signatory of the agreement, described this pact as a major advancement compared to previous reconciliation attempts. Barghouti outlined the four key components of the agreement: the establishment of an interim national unity government, the creation of a unified Palestinian leadership in preparation for future elections, the organization of free elections for a new Palestinian National Council, and a collective declaration of unity against Israeli aggression. According to Barghouti, this agreement counters Israel’s attempts to divide Palestinian factions and weaken their political standing by creating a collaborative structure for future governance.

The reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah is particularly significant given the long-standing rivalry between the two factions. Since 2006, when Hamas took control of Gaza, the two parties have been entrenched in conflict. While Hamas advocates for armed resistance against Israeli occupation, Fatah, which governs the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, has traditionally favored peaceful negotiations. Despite their differences, the intensifying conflict and the ongoing situation in Gaza have created mounting pressure for both factions to put aside their differences and unite for the greater good of the Palestinian people. Barghouti noted that the war in Gaza has been the primary driver behind this unity, with both sides recognizing the need for collective action against perceived injustice.

However, the agreement has been met with strong opposition from Israel, which has unequivocally rejected the idea of Hamas playing any role in Gaza’s future governance. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the agreement and criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for collaborating with Hamas. Katz insisted that Hamas’s rule in Gaza would be defeated and that Israel would retain control over the enclave. This rejection underscores the ongoing tensions between Israel and the Palestinian factions, particularly Hamas, which continues to support armed resistance as the main strategy for resisting Israeli occupation.

China, which has long been an advocate for the Palestinian cause, has continued to offer its support for Palestinian unity, urging international backing for the process. The recent deal, which follows earlier talks in April between Fatah and Hamas in China, demonstrates China’s consistent efforts to mediate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite Israel’s strong opposition, China maintains its position that Palestinian unity and a two-state solution are essential for long-term peace in the region.

The “Beijing Declaration” represents a historic moment in Palestinian politics, marking a potential turning point in the ongoing struggle for self-determination and governance in Gaza. While the future remains uncertain, the agreement offers a glimmer of hope for Palestinians seeking a unified leadership and a pathway toward peace, even as Israel continues to assert its dominance in the region.