Hamas reaches agreement with rival Fatah in China for unity

Mussa Abu Marzuk, a senior member of Hamas, right, signs a document as China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second left, and Mahmoud al-Aloul, vice chairman of Fatah, look on at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, July 23, 2024. [AP photo]

Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have signed a declaration in Beijing to end years of discord and unite to form a national unity government, China announced on Tuesday.

"Senior representatives of 14 Palestinian factions held reconciliation talks in Beijing from July 21 to 23," said Mao Ning, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson. "The Palestinian factions signed the Beijing declaration on ending division and strengthening Palestinian national unity."