China To Host Hamas-Fatah Reconciliation Talks

China is set to facilitate discussions aimed at fostering unity between Hamas and its longstanding rival Fatah, Reuters reports.

According to a Fatah official speaking to Reuters, a delegation led by senior Fatah figure Azzam Al-Ahmed has departed for China. Similarly, a Hamas official stated that their delegation, led by senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk, will be en route to China later in the day.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, during a regular briefing, expressed China’s stance on the matter, stating, “We support strengthening the authority of the Palestinian National Authority, and support all Palestinian factions in achieving reconciliation and increasing solidarity through dialogue and consultation.” However, he refrained from confirming the meeting.

This marks the first publicly acknowledged visit of a Hamas delegation to China since the onset of the conflict in Gaza. Last month, a Chinese diplomat, Wang Kejian, held discussions with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar, as disclosed by the Chinese foreign ministry.

The ideological schism between Hamas and Fatah, the faction led by PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas, dates back to 2007 when Hamas forcefully seized control of Gaza in a violent coup.

Efforts towards establishing a unity government between Hamas and Fatah collapsed in 2015 when PA chairman Abbas opted to dissolve it amidst escalating discord between the two factions.

Although Hamas and Fatah inked a reconciliation pact in October 2017, stipulating the transfer of power in Gaza from Hamas to Fatah by December 1 of the same year, this deadline was postponed by 10 days initially and subsequently encountered reported “obstacles,” ultimately remaining unimplemented.

China’s initiative to host discussions between the two Palestinian factions underscores its growing involvement in Middle Eastern affairs.

While China has previously extended offers to mediate talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, it has also advocated for a two-state solution.

In 2013, China unveiled a four-point proposal outlining a potential resolution to the Israel-PA conflict, emphasizing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, negotiations as the sole path to peace, the “land for peace” principle, and international community assurances to facilitate progress in the peace process.

{Matzav.com Israel}