China hosts meeting for Hamas-Fatah reconciliation talks

Representatives from the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah convened in Beijing for discussions aimed at promoting intra-Palestinian reconciliation. The meeting, which involved dialogue between the Palestine National Liberation Movement and the Islamic Resistance Movement, was facilitated by China, with both sides expressing their willingness to achieve reconciliation through continued dialogue and consultation. China's foreign ministry noted that the talks made positive progress.

During the meeting, the factions addressed the importance of unifying their position in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. A joint bilateral committee is set to be formed in Cairo to ensure coordination and follow-up on these issues. The next round of discussions is scheduled for June 14, 2024.

This initiative for reconciliation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli-Hamas war that has resulted in significant casualties. According to reports, the conflict, which began in October of the previous year, has led to the deaths of approximately 1,170 people in Israel, predominantly civilians, and at least 34,535 people in the Gaza Strip, with a large proportion of women and children affected in the Hamas-run territory.

The meeting in Beijing follows previous efforts to mend the political rift between Hamas and Fatah, including talks hosted by Russia in March to discuss the conflict and post-war governance in Gaza. China, which has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause, has also called for an international peace conference to resolve the conflict.