Hamas and Fatah

On July 23, 2024, in Beijing, rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah reached a significant agreement, signaling an end to their long-standing enmity and the establishment of a transitional national reconciliation government to manage Gaza post-conflict. Facilitated by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the talks included representatives from 14 Palestinian factions and culminated in the signing of the 'Beijing Declaration.' This agreement comes amidst ongoing violence in Gaza, sparked by Hamas’s attacks on Israel that led to significant casualties, including 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages. The reconciliation aims to unify the factions after years of division, which intensified following Hamas's 2006 election victory and subsequent control of Gaza. China, seeking to bolster its role in Middle East diplomacy, has expressed intent to support Palestinian unity efforts and may play a role in reconstructing Gaza post-war. Despite previous failed reconciliation attempts, the current context has heightened calls for unity among Palestinian groups.