IRIA News

Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed a declaration in Beijing on July 23, 2024, committing to form a unified government. This accord, hailed as the “Beijing Declaration,” marks another attempt to resolve their long-standing rivalry, but it remains uncertain if this latest effort will succeed where previous ones have failed.

The agreement, facilitated by China, includes smaller Palestinian factions, and emphasizes “ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity.” However, the declaration lacks specific guarantees or a timeline for implementation.

This has led to some skepticism about its effectiveness, given the history of failed reconciliation attempts between Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip for 17 years, and Fatah, the dominant force in the U.S.-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) that administers parts of the West Bank.

Chinese state-owned media reported that officials from Fatah, Hamas, and 12 other factions met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, concluding talks that began on July 21. The factions issued a joint statement pledging to follow up on past reconciliation agreements from 2011 and 2022 but provided no details on the formation or timing of the new government.

In the declaration, all factions, including Hamas, reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. While Hamas has signaled a willingness to accept a state within the pre-1967 borders, it continues to refuse official recognition of Israel.

FM Wang Yi put forward China’s three-step initiative regarding the ongoing Gaza conflict.

First step: achieving comprehensive, lasting and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible, and ensuring unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and rescue on the ground.… pic.twitter.com/bcqbD7i2KL

— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) July 23, 2024

Fatah spokesperson Jamal Nazzal highlighted that the unity announcement aims to expand the membership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to include Hamas. “It’s a long way ahead, and most of it will be implemented after a possible cease-fire,” he noted.

Hamas political official Husam Badran described the agreement as a “positive step towards achieving Palestinian national unity.” Notably, Hamas has never been part of the PLO, the umbrella group that underpins the PA.

The timing of the declaration is critical as it coincides with the 10th month of the war in Gaza. Israel and Hamas are currently considering an internationally backed cease-fire proposal aimed at ending the conflict and freeing dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

A major point of contention is the governance of Gaza post-war, with unity efforts partly motivated by the Palestinians’ desire to present a cohesive postwar administration. However, Israel has firmly opposed any role for Hamas in Gaza’s future governance and has also rejected U.S. suggestions for the Palestinian Authority to take over, leaving its postwar plans unclear.

Reacting to the Beijing announcement, Israel’s foreign minister stated that any joint governance between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza is unfeasible, asserting, “Hamas’ rule will be crushed.”

Fatah, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has historically been reluctant to share power with Hamas. After Hamas’ victory in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, it ousted Fatah forces from Gaza in 2007, resulting in its prolonged control over the region.

During the current conflict, Hamas has expressed a willingness to step back from ruling Gaza, advocating for a technocratic government agreed upon by various Palestinian factions to prepare for elections in Gaza and the West Bank, aiming for a unified governance structure.

Despite the hopeful rhetoric, the path to unity remains fraught with challenges. The U.S. administration under President Joe Biden envisions a reformed Palestinian Authority governing postwar Gaza but faces Israeli opposition. Furthermore, the smaller militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad has rejected any agreement that implies recognition of Israel, calling for the PLO to withdraw its recognition of the state.

As the conflict continues, the viability of the Beijing Declaration in achieving lasting Palestinian unity and peace remains to be seen.