Mahmoud Mushtaha is a freelance journalist and human-rights activist from Gaza currently living in Cairo.
On Tuesday, China announced it had brokered an agreement between various Palestinian factions, including Hamas and its long-standing rival, Fatah. This agreement, described as a move toward “national unity,” was hailed by some as a pivotal moment in the fractured landscape of Palestinian politics. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, the reconciliation outlines a plan for the joint administration of Gaza once the Israel-Hamas war comes to an end.
The agreement was finalized after negotiations held in Beijing, which brought together 14 Palestinian factions that are often at odds with each other. China – looking to increase its geopolitical power by brokering deals – views the accord as a crucial step toward stabilizing the region and paving the way for coordinated governance in Gaza.
The roots of the current divide trace back to 2007, when Hamas and Fatah were engaged in a civil war. After Hamas won the elections in Gaza, a national-unity government failed, leading to Hamas’s forceful takeover of the Strip from the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority. The two factions have been deeply divided for years, each striving to present itself as the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people.
For many Palestinians, the recent agreement signed in Beijing represents yet another instance of rhetoric without substantive or real action. Despite the hopeful language and diplomatic efforts, there remains a pervasive skepticism about the ability of the current Palestinian leadership to effectively navigate the complex and continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The historical context is telling. Over the years, multiple attempts have been made to bridge the divide between Hamas and Fatah, including significant efforts by Egypt and other Arab nations. These attempts, however, have consistently fallen short, resulting in nothing more than joint statements and agreements that failed to materialize into tangible progress. The 17 years of conflict between these two factions have not only undermined Palestinian political aspirations – they have also left the Palestinian people disillusioned and exhausted.
This recurring cycle of announcements and failed implementations has only deepened the despair among Gazans. The agreement, while diplomatically significant, needs to be backed by concrete actions to rebuild trust and foster a genuine path toward peace and stability. Until then, the people of Gaza remain skeptical, yearning for leadership that not only makes promises but also delivers on them.
The timing of this reconciliation effort is particularly problematic, as it comes too late, arriving amidst nine months of relentless war and widespread destruction. Gazans view this reconciliation as another set of lofty statements that fail to address their immediate needs. The focus should have been on reaching an agreement to end the war and mitigate suffering, rather than on reconciliation that only contemplates post-war scenarios. The question remains: How will the Palestinian factions, especially Hamas, which initiated the war, and Fatah, regarded as the legitimate representative of the Palestinians by many in the international community, respond to the urgent needs and concerns arising from the continuing war? The agreement’s emphasis on post-war governance seems detached from the urgent realities faced by those living under siege.
This reconciliation agreement also included smaller Palestinian factions and highlighted the necessity of creating a unity Palestinian government that would focus on merging institutions in the West Bank and Gaza, rebuilding Gaza, and preparing for national elections. However, the statement noticeably lacks a clear timeline for these objectives, exacerbating public frustration. Many remain skeptical that Hamas and Fatah truly intend to work together.
The reaction to the Beijing agreement from Israel has been swift and firm. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz promptly rejected the deal, emphasizing that there is no prospect for joint rule between Fatah and Hamas in Gaza. Mr. Katz asserted that Hamas’s rule in the Strip would be dismantled, reflecting Israel’s strong opposition to any arrangement that includes power-sharing with many Palestinian factions.
As we watch this new development unfold, the question remains: Will this agreement mark the beginning of a new era of Palestinian unity and resilience, or will it be yet another missed opportunity in the long history of failed reconciliations? For now, the Palestinian people continue to hope for leadership that not only signs agreements, but also takes meaningful actions to achieve lasting peace and security.