Militant group Hamas announced on Tuesday, July 23, that it has signed an agreement with China, along with 14 other Palestinian organizations including its rival Fatah. The Beijing Declaration was signed to set up an interim reconciliation government to govern Gaza after the war and work together for national unity.
Chinese Foreign Minister Hails Agreement With 14 Palestinian Groups
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hailed the agreement by the 14 Palestinian factions in Beijing and hosted senior Hamas official Musu Abu Marzuk, Fatah envoy Mahmud-Al-Aloul and other 14 Palestinian groups. Hamas senior Abu Marzuk said, “We are committed to national unity and we call for it” after the meeting in Beijing. The declaration came nine months after the horrific war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023.
Call For Temporary Reconciliation Government
Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi claimed that the most important outcome of the meeting with Palestinian groups was the acknowledgment of the Palestine Liberation Organisation as the only legitimate representation of all Palestinian people. Furthermore, Wang Yi also mentioned that a temporary reconciliation government is also being called for concerning the governance of post-war Gaza. The greatest appeal made was the acquisition of an independent Palestinian state.
Fatah Signs The Deal Along With Hamas
Groups who were part of the declaration were Hamas and Fateh who have been rivals since the division in 2006, as Hamas rules Gaza and Fateh has command over the West Bank. The two have struggled with the Palestinian movement because of a violent scuffle in the region since 2006. Meanwhile, Israel has rejected the reconciliation effort by claiming that the country’s security will solely remain in the hands of Israel.
Beijing’s Three-Step Approach
Moreover, Beijing also proposed a three-step approach to deal with the current conflict in Palestine. The first step proposed was to promote a lasting sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and ensure smooth access to humanitarian relief and aid. The second step is to uphold the principles of Palestinians governing Palestine, the third being the promotion of Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations along with the implementation of the two-state solution.