China Claims Rival Palestinian Groups Fatah and Hamas Made 'Encouraging Progress' in Beijing Talks

Bejing: Representatives of rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah me “encouraging progress” in recent talks in Chinese capital on promoting reconciliation, China's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian gave few details at a daily briefing, but meeting in Beijing is China's latest attempt to position itself as a broker in Middle East as an alternative to US and its Western allies, most often seen as backing Israel.

China claims both groups appreciate its efforts

Lin said representatives of two groups were invited by China and “recently came to Beijing to have an in-depth and candid dialogue on promoting Palestinian reconciliation.”

He said y “h discussions on many specific issues and me encouraging progress.”

Hamas has been under siege by Israel in Gaza since launching its October 7 attacks in sourn Israel, while Fatah’s rule of West Bank is under severe stress amid an expanding Israeli presence, a morbid economy and widespre accusations of corruption.

“ sides agreed to continue this dialogue process so as to achieve Palestinian solidarity and unity at an early date,” Lin said.

“y highly appreciated China’s firm support for just cause of Palestinian people in restoring ir legitimate national rights, thanked Chinese side for its efforts to help strengn Palestinian internal unity and reached an agreement on ideas for future dialogue,” he said.

Hamas has said for more than 15 years that it could accept a two-state compromise with Israel but has refused to say it would recognise Israel or renounce its armed fight against it.

For Israel and ors, especially in wake of Hamas’ October 7 attack, that’s proof that Hamas is still committed to destroying Israel. United States and European countries have joined Israel in shunning militant group, which y have labelled a terrorist organisation.

state of Hamas-Fatah ties 

Ties between Hamas and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction have long been fraught. In 2006, after Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections, it entered talks with Palestinian Authority over a unity government.

During negotiations, Ismail Haniyeh, who is now Hamas’ top political leer, said group supported a Palestinian state along 1967 lines “at this stage, but in return for a cease-fire, not recognition.”

two groups eventually reached a deal under which unity government, including Hamas, would “respect” Palestinian Authority’s peace agreements with Israel.

It was a formula that allowed Hamas to avoid accepting accords and recognising Israel.

Israel and US refused to recognise unity government and imposed economic sanctions. government quickly collapsed amid fighting between Hamas and Fatah, ending with Hamas’ 2007 takeover of Gaza.

China playing peacemaker

China has long recognised a Palestinian state as part of its Cold War strategy to build ties with developing world and undermine Western support for Israel.

In recent years, however, it has sought to engage both sides, appointing a special envoy for Middle Eastern affairs to hold talks with both Israel and Palestinian Authority.

In March 2023, China also hosted talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran at which two regional heavyweights agreed to restore diplomatic relations.

Ceasefire negotiations continue

In or recent diplomatic developments, Hamas officials have left Cairo after talks with Egyptian officials on a new proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, Egypt’s state-owned Al-Qahera News satellite channel said Tuesday.

channel, which has close ties with Egyptian security agencies, said a Hamas delegation will return to Cairo with a written response to cease-fire proposal, without saying when.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit Israel on his latest trip to region, which began Monday in Saudi Arabia. He said Israel needs to do more to allow aid to enter Gaza, but that best way to alleviate humanitarian crisis is for two sides to agree to a cease-fire.