Advertisement
A rapprochement between rival Palestinian factions could make post-war governance of Gaza more viable.
By Adam Rasgon and Vivian Wang
Adam Rasgon reported on Doha and Jerusalem, and Vivian Wang on Beijing.
China will host senior officials from Hamas and Fatah for a meeting next week in a bid to bridge gaps between rival Palestinian factions that have long competed for strength in Gaza and the West Bank, according to both parties.
While Israel and Hamas appear to be moving toward a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, discussions about long-term plans for the enclave have become more urgent. Many experts consider the willingness of Hamas and Fatah to work together to be very important for Gaza’s post-war reconstruction.
Previous attempts at mediation between the two teams – adding an assembly in Beijing in April – have failed to produce tangible results. However, plans for next week’s assembly mean China is abandoning its long-standing attempts to act as a peace broker.
Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s political leader, will lead the group’s delegation to Beijing, according to Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas figure. Fatah will send three officials, Mahmoud al-Aloul, the party’s vice chairman, to the Chinese capital, according to Azzam al-Ahmad, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee.
He said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi would meet with the Palestinian factions on July 21 and then on July 23, although the two teams would meet in the meantime. China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
We are recovering the content of the article.
Allow JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we determine access. If you’re in Reader mode, exit and log into your Times account or subscribe to the full Times.
Thank you for your patience as we determine access.
Are you already a subscriber? Login.
Do you want all the Times? Subscribe.
Advertisement