UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday welcomed an accord brokered by China seeking reconciliation between Hamas and other Palestinian factions amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
“I think all steps towards unity are to be welcomed and encouraged,” UN chief’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, adding that Guterres “very much welcomes the signing of the Beijing Declaration by the Palestinian factions.”
Speaking at the UN, spokesperson Dujarric said unity amongst the Palestinian factions was crucial for peace.
“Palestinian unity… is crucial for peace and security and for advancing the aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination and for a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian state,” he said.
Hamas announced on Tuesday that it had signed an agreement with other Palestinian organizations, including Fatah, to work together for “national unity.”
This agreement, made in Beijing, aims to set up an “interim national reconciliation government” to govern Gaza once the ongoing war ends.
The announcement was made by senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuk after meetings hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Representatives from 12 other Palestinian groups also attended the talks.
The agreement comes amid Israel’s ongoing bombardment campaign in Gaza killing more than 39,090 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 7 last year, according to the Gaza health ministry.
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China has positioned itself as a mediator in this complex conflict, exacerbated by the rivalry between Hamas, which controls Gaza, and Fatah, which partially governs the West Bank.
Following the signing of the “Beijing Declaration,” Wang Yi emphasized the importance of “reconciliation” and announced the formation of an interim national reconciliation government for post-war Gaza. He underscored that reconciliation requires international community support and advocated for a comprehensive ceasefire and recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN.
Hamas and Fatah have been adversaries since 2006, when Hamas won a decisive electoral victory and later ousted Fatah from Gaza. Despite several failed reconciliation attempts, the recent war has intensified calls for unity. China, which has historically supported the Palestinian cause, has renewed efforts to mediate and foster stability in the region.
