China Brokers Breakthrough in Palestinian Reconciliation Dialogue as Fatah, Hamas Meet for Unity

On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that representatives of Hamas and Fatah met in Beijing for an in-depth and sincere dialogue on Palestinian reconciliation. During a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that both sides expressed their political will to achieve reconciliation through dialogue and consultations, resulting in positive progress. The negotiations led to an agreement to continue the dialogue process with the aim of achieving unity among the Palestinian people as quickly as possible.

Both factions welcomed China’s firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights and thanked China for its efforts to promote Palestinian unity. Arab media reported on the arrival of the delegations in Beijing, noting that China had invited Fatah and Hamas to meet with it as part of its interest in mediating conflicts in the Gaza Strip and supporting the creation of an independent Palestinian state. This meeting followed one held in Moscow in March where both factions agreed to continue their dialogue for national unity.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently restructured his government as part of efforts to reform it with a technocratic Executive that could potentially take control of the Gaza Strip after conflict resolution. Hamas has been divided from Fatah since 2007 when Hamas expelled Fatah from Gaza following its victory in elections the previous year. Currently, Fatah governs the Palestinian territories of West Bank while Hamas controls Gaza Strip.