Palestinian Factions Hamas and Fatah Sign Declaration to End Rift

In a significant step towards reconciliation, Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed a declaration in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, aiming to put an end to their years-long rift. The development comes as Israel and Hamas are weighing an internationally backed cease-fire proposal that could bring an end to the nine-month war in Gaza.

According to Chinese state media, the declaration was signed during talks between the two rival Palestinian groups and 12 other political factions, alongside Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Beijing Declaration is the latest in a series of talks aimed at uniting the sides, with previous declarations having failed to deliver a lasting resolution.

The declaration comes as Israel and Hamas are negotiating an internationally backed cease-fire proposal that would wind down the war in Gaza and free dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. However, even if a deal is signed, the vision for a postwar Gaza remains uncertain, with Israel fiercely opposed to any role by Hamas in governing the region.

Since the current war broke out in Gaza, Hamas officials have made it clear that the party does not want to return to ruling Gaza as it did before the conflict. Instead, the group has called for the formation of a government of technocrats, agreed upon by various Palestinian factions, which would pave the way for elections in both Gaza and the West Bank.

The joint statement issued after the Beijing talks gave no details on how or when the government would be formed, stating only that it would be done “by agreement among the factions.”

The rivalry between Fatah and Hamas dates back to 2007, when Hamas violently ousted forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah in Gaza. The Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, headed by Abbas, administers parts of the occupied West Bank and is widely viewed by the Palestinian public as corrupt, out of touch, and a subcontractor for Israel due to their joint security coordination.

The signing of the Beijing Declaration is a crucial step towards resolving the deep divisions between Palestinian factions and potentially paving the way for a unified government. However, the path forward remains uncertain, and much will depend on the willingness of the parties to work together to build a brighter future for the Palestinian people.