BEIJING: China will host talks between two Palestinian groups- Hamas and its rival Fatah- for unity.
Hamas, controls Gaza, clashed with Israeli forces in October 2023, leading to casualties and hostages. Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, governs the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Despite previous attempts, the factions have struggled to reconcile since Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza in 2007. The United States, backing Fatah, remains cautious due to its classification of Hamas as a terrorist group.
A Fatah delegation, led by senior official Azzam Al-Ahmed, has departed for China, while a Hamas team, led by senior official Moussa Abu Marzouk, will follow suit. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin expressed support for Palestinian unity, although the meeting itself wasn’t confirmed.
This marks the first publicly known visit of a Hamas delegation to China since the conflict erupted. Chinese diplomats aim to bolster efforts toward Palestinian reconciliation, showcasing China’s increasing diplomatic role in the Middle East. In 2023, China brokered peace talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, further solidifying its regional influence.
During his recent visit to Beijing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed with Chinese officials the potential for China to play a constructive role in global crises, including the Middle East.
China has been advocating for Palestinian interests in international forums, pushing for a larger-scale Israeli-Palestinian peace conference and urging a specific timetable for a two-state solution. In February, China called on the International Court of Justice to address the legality of Israeli occupation in Palestinian Territories.
Additionally, China has been advocating for Palestine’s membership in the United Nations, viewing it as rectifying a historical injustice, according to China’s top diplomat Wang Yi.
