Hamas signs agreement with Fatah in China

Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzook announced today that the movement signed an agreement with other Palestinian groups including rivals Fatah while on a visit to China.

"Today we sign an agreement for national unity and we say that the path to completing this journey is national unity. We are committed to national unity and we call for it," Abu Marzook said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who hosted Abu Marzook, Fatah envoy Mahmud al-Aloul and emissaries from 12 other Palestinian groups, said they had agreed to set up an "interim national reconciliation government" to govern post-war Gaza.

The factions reached an agreement to achieve "comprehensive national unity," including all forces within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and to form a temporary national unity government.

The statement emphasized the factions' commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with United Nations resolutions, and ensuring the right of return according to Resolution 194. The meeting gathered 14 Palestinian factions and lasted for two days.

The factions participating in the meeting included: Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Palestinian People's Party, the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, the Palestinian National Initiative, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command, the Palestinian Democratic Union (Fida), the Palestinian Liberation Front, the Arab Liberation Front, the Palestinian Arab Front, and the Popular Liberation War - Lightning Forces.

"The most prominent highlight is the agreement to form an interim national reconciliation government around the governance of post-war Gaza," Wang said following the signing of the "Beijing declaration" by the Palestinian factions in the Chinese capital.

"Reconciliation is an internal matter for the Palestinian factions, but at the same time, it cannot be achieved without the support of the international community," Wang said.

Hamas and Fatah met in China in April with the same goal – to discuss reconciliation efforts after more than 17 years of rivalry.

Tensions have risen between the two since the events of Oct. 7, 2023; with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas slandering Hamas for “Operation Aqsa Typhoon” and Hamas accusing Fatah of supporting “Israel”.