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Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah have agreed to end their long-standing enmity and work toward forming a national unity government.
The reconciliation talks took place in Beijing, and representatives from both factions signed the “Beijing Declaration” aimed at ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity.
This development is significant because Hamas and Fatah have been bitter enemies since the 2006-2007 civil war in the Gaza Strip. Hamas currently governs the Gaza enclave and is involved in a brutal war with Israel. The conflict was triggered by Hamas-led terror attacks in October.
Israel’s retaliatory assaults on Gaza have resulted in significant casualties among Palestinians. Hussam Badran, a senior Hamas official, emphasized that this agreement is an “additional positive step towards achieving Palestinian national unity.” While this agreement represents progress, the path to reconciliation remains challenging, especially given historical tensions and external factors.
Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah Agreement
On July 23, 2024, representatives from 14 Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, signed the Beijing Declaration in China. The agreement aims to end division and strengthen Palestinian unity. Hamas has ruled the Gaza Strip for 17 years, while Fatah administers parts of the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah Past Attempts on National unity
Since 2006, Hamas and Fatah have signed reconciliation agreements in various locations (Algiers, Cairo, Doha, Mecca, and Sana’a), but these previous pacts did not lead to lasting reconciliation. Persistent disagreements and power struggles have hindered successful implementation.
Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah Agreement Implementation Challenges
While the agreement outlines the need for an interim unity government, success depends on practical implementation. The ground realities, upcoming US elections, and other uncertainties could impact the deal’s stability.
China’s Diplomatic Role
China has been increasingly involved in international diplomacy, as seen in its role in brokering the historic normalization agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023.