China's Foreign Minister: Palestinian groups agree on transitional government in Gaza
A high-ranking Hamas representative, Musa Abu Marsuk, confirmed that his organization had signed the declaration. "We are committed to national unity and demand it," Abu Marsuk added. However, the attending Fatah representative Mahmud al-Alul made no comments about an agreement with Hamas and other groups. Representatives from Egypt, Algeria, and Russia also participated in the meeting.
The Palestinian Autonomous Authority, controlled by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, governs in the West Bank territory occupied by Israel but only holds limited power there. In the Gazastrip, Hamas took control in 2007 and violently displaced the rival Fatah party. Israel fully withdrew from the Gazastrip in 2005.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi added that the reconciliation was an "internal matter for Palestinian groups." At the same time, he noted that it "cannot be achieved without the support of the international community." China aims to play a "constructive role in ensuring peace and stability" in the Middle East.
The significance of the agreement between the rival Palestinian groups is unclear. Neither Israel nor the United States, its allies, accept Hamas' involvement in the post-war order in the Gazastrip. Israel has stated that the destruction of Hamas is the goal of its military action.
According to Israeli reports, 1,197 people were killed and 251 taken hostage during Hamas' attack on Israel. In response to the unprecedented attack, Israel has been conducting massive military operations in the Gazastrip since then. According to the health ministry controlled by Hamas, which cannot be independently verified, over 39,000 people have been killed since then.
China has repeatedly called for a peaceful solution to the conflict since the war began. Beijing, which has previously shown solidarity with the Palestinians while maintaining good relations with Israel, is seeking a mediator role and supports a two-state solution. This envisions an independent, peacefully coexisting Palestinian state alongside Israel. Beijing had already received Hamas and Fatah representatives for talks on an "internal Palestinian reconciliation" in April.
Fatah representative al-Alul thanked China on Tuesday for its "unwavering support" of the Palestinians. "To China: You have our love, you have our entire friendship from the entire Palestinian people," he said.
China has strengthened its economic and diplomatic relations in the Middle East in recent years. The region, where the influence of the United States has traditionally been strong, plays a crucial role for China as a node in its infrastructure project, the New Silk Road. The ports, railways, airports, and industrial parks built as part of the project in Asia, Europe, and Africa are intended to give China better access to the markets of other countries.
- The Islamic Resistance Movement, known as Hamas, has a representative named Musa Abu Marsuk.
- Abu Marsuk stated that Hamas is committed to national unity and demands it.
- The Algerian representative was present at the meeting alongside Egypt and Russia.
- In contrast to Hamas, the Algerian representative's Fatah counterpart, Mahmud al-Alul, didn't comment on an agreement.
- Wang Yi, the Foreign Minister of China, considered the reconciliation an internal matter for Palestinian groups.
- The Gazan territory, controlled by Hamas, has been subject to limited power from the Palestinian Autonomous Authority in the West Bank.
- The United States of America and Israel do not recognize Hamas' involvement in the post-war order in the Gaza Strip.
- China's support for a peaceful solution in the Middle East includes talks with both Hamas and Fatah representatives in Beijing.
- Mahmud Abbas, the Palestinian President, has not publicly commented on the recent reconciliation efforts between Hamas and Fatah, supported by China.
