Unity In Diversity: Palestinian Factions Forge New Path In Beijing Agreement

In a landmark move, rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have signed a unity agreement in Beijing, aiming to "end division and strengthen Palestinian unity." Announced by China on Tuesday, the agreement emerged from reconciliation talks involving 14 Palestinian factions.

Mahmoud al-Aloul, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of Fatah, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Mussa Abu Marzuk, a senior member of Hamas, in Beijing on July 23, 2024.

China’s Foreign Ministry hosted the talks, emphasizing Beijing’s role as a potential peace broker amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the agreement's dedication to "the great reconciliation and unity of all 14 factions."

"The core outcome is that the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) is the sole legitimate representative of all Palestinian people," Wang said. The agreement also addresses post-Gaza war governance and the establishment of a provisional national reconciliation government. However, the specific role of Hamas, which is not part of the PLO, remains unclear.

This initiative comes as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in retaliation for the group's October 7 attack. The PLO, a coalition of parties that signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1993, is dominated by Fatah, which also leads the Palestinian Authority (PA). Hamas, which controls Gaza, was not a signatory to the 1993 Oslo Accords and does not recognize Israel.

Mustafa Barghouti, president of the Palestinian National Initiative, praised the agreement, stating that all parties agreed to join the PLO, recognizing it as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

The history of discord between Hamas and Fatah has seen numerous failed attempts at unity, including a 2017 reconciliation agreement that quickly dissolved into violence. The latest attempt at reconciliation, however, is viewed as more promising, with specific steps towards forming a consensus government.

Barghouti noted that the war in Gaza has driven factions to unite against Israeli occupation. "There was a very clear feeling that what Israel is doing is really threatening everybody," he said. A new government would aim to unite the West Bank and Gaza, countering Israeli efforts to maintain control over Gaza.

Despite the optimism, many Palestinians remain cautious. Tahani Mustafa, a senior Palestine analyst at the International Crisis Group, expressed skepticism, noting that past obstacles to reconciliation were not addressed. She highlighted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's reluctance to share power as a significant hurdle.

Hamas, seeking fair representation within the PLO, has often clashed with Abbas's Fatah party, which has resisted relinquishing its dominance over Palestinian political institutions.

At a Beijing news conference, Hamas representative Mousa Abu Marzook confirmed an agreement to pursue reconciliation while defending the group's October 7 attack on Israel. Beijing, which has not condemned the attack, continues to position itself as a prominent advocate for Palestinian statehood.

This agreement follows earlier talks between Hamas and Fatah hosted by Beijing in April. As China seeks to enhance its influence in the Middle East, its role as a peace broker is seen as part of a broader strategy to present an alternative vision to that of the United States.

The agreement coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the US, where he is set to meet top officials and address Congress. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian deaths and a severe humanitarian crisis.

As the world watches, this new agreement represents a critical step towards Palestinian unity, with the potential to reshape the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.