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The good news is that China has brokered a peace agreement. (Everyone is supposed to support peace over war, right?) But it’s not an agreement between Israel and Gaza. It’s not even a deal between Ukraine and Russia, though China now has enough influence over Russia that they should be able to do so if they want. No, this is a peace agreement between Hamas and Fatah, the two primary Palestinian factions that have been at odds for decades. The world is all too familiar with Hamas by this point, with its current remnants being all that remains of the official government of the Gaza Strip. Fatah (formerly the Palestinian National Liberation Movement) is the party of Mahmoud Abbas and largely represents the Palestinians in the West Bank. If this tentative peace agreement sounds like good news to you, rest assured that it’s not. (Associated Press)
Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed a declaration in Beijing on ending a yearslong rift, the groups said Tuesday, taking a step toward resolving a deep divide which has lingered for years despite repeated attempts at unifying the sides.
The two heavyweights of Palestinian politics signed the Beijing Declaration on “ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity,” according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, pledging to form a unity government for the Palestinian territories. But previous such declarations have failed, including a similar deal in 2011, casting doubt over whether the China-sponsored negotiations might actually lead to a resolution.
The declaration comes at a sensitive time, as the war in Gaza rages on into its 10th month and as Israel and Hamas are weighing an internationally backed cease-fire proposal that would wind down the war and free dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
