Palestinian factions have signed a “national unity” agreement aimed at maintaining Palestinian control over Gaza once Israel’s war on the enclave ends.
The deal, finalized Tuesday in China after three days of intensive negotiations, lays the foundation for an “interim government of national reconciliation” to rule the Gaza Strip after the war, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. The agreement was signed by longtime rivals Hamas and Fatah, as well as 12 other Palestinian groups.
“Today we sign an agreement for national unity and we say that the way to complete this journey is national unity,” senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk told a news conference in Beijing.
Block Israeli control over Gaza
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, one of the 14 factions that signed the deal, told Tel Aviv Tribune that the agreement goes “much further” than any other deal reached in recent years.
He said its four main elements are the establishment of an interim national unity government, the formation of a unified Palestinian leadership ahead of future elections, the free election of a new Palestinian National Council and a general declaration of unity in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks.
The move toward a unity government is particularly important, he said, because it “blocks Israeli efforts to create some kind of collaborative structure against Palestinian interests.”
A reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah would be a turning point in internal Palestinian relations. The two main Palestinian political parties have been in bitter rivalry since the conflict began in 2006, after Hamas took control of Gaza.
‘No other way’
“We are at a historic turning point,” Abu Marzouk said, according to CNN. “Our people are rising up in their struggle.”
Hamas, which carried out the October 7 attack on Israel, advocates armed resistance against the Israeli occupation.
Fatah controls the Palestinian Authority, which exercises partial administrative control over the occupied West Bank. It favors peaceful negotiations toward the creation of a Palestinian state.
Attempts at reconciliation between the two factions have failed in the past. But calls for rapprochement are growing as the war drags on and Israel and its allies, including the United States, debate who should govern the enclave once the fighting ends.
Barghouti said the Gaza war was the “main factor” that motivated the Palestinian sides to put aside their differences.
“There is no other solution now for Palestinians than to unite and fight together against this terrible injustice,” he said.
“The most important thing now is not only to sign the agreement, but also to implement it.”
“Looking from afar”
Israel vehemently opposes any role for Hamas in governing Gaza and has indicated, in the face of opposition even from Washington, that it intends to maintain control of the enclave.
Israel was therefore quick to criticize the announced agreement.
Targeting Fatah leader and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for his cooperation with Hamas, Foreign Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed his government’s position that no one but Israel will control Gaza after the end of hostilities.
Hamas and Fatah signed an agreement in China for joint control of Gaza after the war. Instead of rejecting terrorism, Mahmoud Abbas embraces Hamas murderers and rapists, revealing his true face. In reality, this will not happen because Hamas’ power will be crushed and Abbas… pic.twitter.com/JZMqeMqH5J
– ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 23, 2024
“Instead of rejecting terrorism, Mahmoud Abbas is embracing Hamas murderers and rapists, revealing his true face,” Katz said on X. “In reality, this will not happen because Hamas’ power will be crushed and Abbas will watch over Gaza from afar. Israel’s security will remain solely in Israel’s hands.”
“Internal affair”
China, which has sought to mediate the conflict, had already hosted Fatah and Hamas in April.
During the talks, the two men “expressed their political will to achieve reconciliation through dialogue and consultation” and made progress on “many specific issues,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at the time.
The latest round of talks brought together Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Fatah deputy leader Mahmoud al-Aloul.
After signing what was called the “Beijing Declaration,” Chinese President Wang said: “Reconciliation is an internal affair of the Palestinian factions, but at the same time, it cannot be achieved without the support of the international community.”
China has always been sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an “international peace conference” to end the war.