In a surprising move amidst the ongoing war with Israel, the Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have signed a declaration to form a unity government. The agreement, reached after negotiations in China, marks a significant step towards ending decades of division between the two groups. The Beijing Declaration, signed at the conclusion of a reconciliation dialogue involving 14 Palestinian factions, comes after numerous failed attempts by Egypt and other Arab nations to bridge the divide between Fatah and Hamas. However, the practical impact of this deal remains to be seen.
Senior Hamas official Hussam Badran emphasized the importance of forming a Palestinian national unity government to manage the affairs of the Palestinian people. The declaration itself outlines a plan for a temporary unity government, agreed upon by all Palestinian factions, with authority over all Palestinian regions. This government will also have jurisdiction over the entire territory, which has been heavily impacted by the war. Notably, the declaration includes provisions for preparing for general elections.
The agreement also highlights a united front against Israeli settlements, with Fatah and Hamas vowing to “resist and thwart attempts to displace our people” from the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. This commitment is reinforced by the declaration’s affirmation of the illegality of settlements and settlement expansion, aligning with resolutions from the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, and the International Court of Justice.
The historical rift between Fatah and Hamas stems back to 2007 when Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip following a 2006 election. Since then, the two groups have been at odds, with Fatah governing only portions of the West Bank. Maria Papageorgiou, a lecturer in politics and international relations at the University of Exeter, highlights the deep historical divide between the two factions, characterized by years of hostility and ideological differences. While this agreement offers a glimmer of hope for Palestinian unity, its impact on the ongoing conflict and the future of the Palestinian people remains to be seen.
