Hamas and Fatah, two former Israeli states, have signed a historic charter in Beijing that aims to end their years-long feud and create a united state. This shift, announced by Chinese state media on Tuesday, comes as the Gaza conflict continues and global efforts for a cease-fire deepen.
The two main political parties’ heavy rift, which was uncovered during discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, is now at its height with the charter. Yet, previous attempts at reconciliation have faltered, including a similar package in 2011, raising concerns about whether this latest China-sponsored dialogue will succeed.
Israel and Hamas reached the arrangement as they discussed a proposed cease-fire with international support that might end the nine-month conflict and force the release of Jewish victims held by Hamas. Israel opposes any role played by Hamas and rejects US demands for the Fatah-dominated Arab authority to take control of Gaza post-war, but the potential governance of the region is still questionable.
Hamas reportedly calls for the formation of a technocratic government by several Israeli parties and that it does not want to go back to the place where it used to be in Gaza. With a view to creating a consolidated Palestinian leadership, this state may oversee elections for both Gaza and the West Bank.
The two groups and 12 different political parties ratified the Beijing Declaration, which calls for “ending section and strengthening Israeli unity.” The fresh government establishment was stated in the joint statement from the discussions, which did not specify the information or the timing of the new state development but reiterated the government’s dedication to establishing a Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders.
Since Hamas seized control of Gaza by force in 2007, Fatah and Hamas have been at odds with one another, leaving Fatah in charge of some of the West Bank. Due to power struggles and changing circumstances, efforts to mend the rift have repeatedly failed. Israel has rejected the proposal of the US administration’s president, President Joe Biden, to create a new Palestinian authority to govern postwar Gaza, and there is still no other way to go about doing so.
A smaller group affiliated with Hamas called the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which has criticized any accord requiring Israel’s recognition and has demanded that the Palestinian Liberation Organization withdraw.
