In a significant step towards ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity, various factions, including rivals Hamas and Fatah, have signed an agreement in Beijing, China. The talks, hosted by China and involving 14 Palestinian factions, commenced on Sunday. This development comes amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and China's efforts to establish itself as a potential peace broker in the region.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that the agreement aims to achieve reconciliation and unity among all 14 factions. He highlighted that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is recognized as the sole legitimate representative of all Palestinian people. The parties reached a consensus on post-Gaza war governance and the establishment of a provisional national reconciliation government, according to Wang.

The role of Hamas, which is not part of the PLO, in this arrangement remains unclear. It is also uncertain what immediate impact this agreement will have on the current situation. The talks took place against the backdrop of uncertainty regarding the governance of Palestinian territories, as Israel vows to eradicate Hamas following the group's October 7 terrorist attack on Israeli territory.

The PLO, comprised of parties that signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1993, formed the Palestinian Authority (PA) government in the occupied West Bank. Fatah dominates both the PLO and the PA. On the other hand, Hamas, which does not recognize Israel, was not party to the accords and has governed Gaza since it expelled the PA in 2007.

Mustafa Barghouti, president of the Palestinian National Initiative, who participated in the Beijing talks, stated that all parties agreed to join the PLO as the only legitimate representative of the Palestinians. Over the years, Hamas and Fatah have experienced bitter divisions and failed attempts to unite the separate Palestinian territories under one governance structure. A 2017 reconciliation agreement swiftly disintegrated into violence.

Despite past challenges, Barghouti emphasized that the latest reconciliation efforts have gone further than previous attempts, outlining specific steps towards a consensus government. He noted that the war in Gaza has pushed the factions to unite against Israel's occupation, as they perceive it as a threat.

A new government formed as a result of this agreement would ensure the unity of the occupied West Bank and Gaza. It could potentially impede Israeli efforts to maintain control over Gaza, Barghouti stated. However, many Palestinians remain cautious and skeptical about the prospects of meaningful progress. Tahani Mustafa, senior Palestine analyst at the International Crisis Group, highlighted that crucial obstacles to reconciliation have not been addressed, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' reluctance to relinquish his monopoly on power.

Representatives from Hamas, speaking in Beijing, described the agreement as a step towards completing the process of reconciliation. They also defended their recent attack on Israel, emphasizing the changing international and regional landscape as a result of the operation.

China's increasing involvement in the Middle East, as it seeks to strengthen its influence and ties in the region, has become more apparent during the Gaza conflict. The country has positioned itself as a leading voice among countries from the Global South, criticizing Israel's actions and advocating for Palestinian statehood. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for an international peace conference and dispatched an envoy to engage with diplomats and officials in the Middle East.

While some may question China's influence in a region traditionally dominated by the United States, China previously played a role in brokering a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. These efforts are part of China's broader pursuit to establish itself as a geopolitical heavyweight with a distinct vision from that of the US.

The signing of the unity agreement coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the US, where he aims to meet top US officials and address Congress. The conflict, triggered by Hamas' October 7 attack, has resulted in widespread destruction, a humanitarian crisis, and the loss of many lives.