'Beijing Declaration', A New Agreement Between Palestinian Groups Against Israel (image@FirasPalestine)

The Palestinian factions have signed a “national unity” agreement aiming to maintain Palestinian control over Gaza once Israel’s war on the enclave concludes. The deal, which was finalised in China is being referred to as the “Beijing Declaration”. The agreement was signed by long-term rivals Hamas and Fatah, and 12 other Palestinian groups.

Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative – one of the 14 factions to sign the deal, Mustafa Barghouti, told Al Jazeera that the agreement “goes much further” than any other reached in recent years.

According to Barghouti, the four main elements of the deal are the establishment of an interim national unity government, the formation of 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.

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He said the unity government is especially important as it “blocks Israeli efforts to create some sort of collaborative structure against Palestinian interests”.

Hamas And Fatah

The reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah would be a crucial turning point in internal Palestinian relations. The two groups are the major political parties in the Palestinian territory. They have been bitter rivals since the 2006 conflict, after which Hamas seized control over Gaza.

Hamas and Fatah became rivals after the latter signed the Oslo accord and refused to agree to the result of 2006 election in Gaza, which reaped a landslide victory for Hamas.

The difference between Fatah and Hamas are very distinct. Hamas does not recognise Israel, and choose armed resistance against the occupation. Fatah recognise Israel and chose negotiations against occupation. Before signing the Oslo accord, Fatah supported armed resistance.

Israel imposed a chokehold blockade on Gaza after Hamas took power. The Fatah or the Palestinian Authority has partial administrative control of the occupied West Bank, as it is still largely under the grasp of Israel.

Read also: Hamas Cannot Be Defeated, Says IDF Chief Daniel Hagari; Netanyahu Responds

Several reconciliation bids between the two groups failed in the past. However, since the war in Gaza has dragged on and Israel and its allies including US have discussed on who could govern Gaza, after the Hamas, as they hope to eradicate Hamas completely, the call for the unification all Palestinian faction, especially Hamas and Fatah increased.

Israel’s Response

Israel cannot stand the idea that Hamas will still have any sort of participation in governing any parts of Gaza. It has suggested that intends to maintain control over Gaza in the face of opposition even from US.

Tel Aviv was quick to react upon hearing the Beijing Declaration. Slamming Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Kartz reasserted his government’s stance that no one but Israel will control Gaza post war. He said Hamas will be crushed and Abbas will be only looking at Gaza from afar.

Hamas and Fatah signed an agreement in China for joint control of Gaza after the war. Instead of rejecting terrorism, Mahmoud Abbas embraces the murderers and rapists of Hamas, revealing his true face. In reality, this won’t happen because Hamas’s rule will be crushed, and Abbas… pic.twitter.com/JZMqeMqH5J

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 23, 2024

Role of China

China sought to play a mediator role, marking its push into a place position which was traditionally taken by US. It hosted Hamas and Fatah in April this year.

The latest talk between the two group, Hamas and Fatah featured Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Fatah’s deputy head Mahmoud al-Aloul. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said “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”.

The increase in the Chinese mediation role started in 2013, the same year when Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched. Before 2013, Beijing was reluctant in involving with any conflicts in foreign land. After BRI was launched, the country shifted its mediation efforts to South Asia, the Middle East and East Africa – regions that are strategically important for the initiative.