14 Palestinian Factions Agree to End Split in Beijing, Including Hamas and Fatah

Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo, Egypt July 2023. (Twitter/@hamdahsalhut)

JAKARTA - Hamas and Fatah, along with other Palestinian factions totaling 14, agreed to end divisions and strengthen unity after meeting in Beijing, China.

This was stated in a declaration after the dialogue that took place on July 21-23 which was attended by high-level representatives of all factions, reported Chinese news agency Xinhua on July 23.

"This is the first time that 14 Palestinian factions have gathered in Beijing to hold reconciliation dialogue, bringing precious hope to the suffering Palestinian people," the news agency reported.

The Beijing Declaration was signed at the closing ceremony of the reconciliation dialogue between the factions, state television CCTV reported.

The 14 Palestinian factions including Fatah and Hamas leaders also met with the media, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in attendance, CGTN said in a social media post.

The agreement marks a diplomatic success for Beijing and its growing influence in the Middle East, after brokering a successful peace deal between regional arch-foes Saudi Arabia and Iran last year, as quoted by Reuters.

Senior Hamas official Hussam Badran praised China in a statement for its significant efforts to host the talks and reach the declaration.

"This declaration comes at a crucial time as our people face a genocidal war, especially in the Gaza Strip," Badran said in the statement.

It is known that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the goal was to destroy the Iran-backed Hamas group and opposed it having any role in the post-war Gaza government.