China is set to host senior officials from Hamas and Fatah for a crucial meeting next week aimed at bridging the longstanding gaps between the rival Palestinian factions. The meeting is part of China’s ongoing efforts to mediate peace between Hamas and Fatah, who have been competing for power in Gaza and the West Bank for years.
With Israel and Hamas making progress on a cease-fire deal in Gaza, discussions on the future of the enclave have gained urgency. Cooperation between Hamas and Fatah is seen as essential for the reconstruction of Gaza post-war.
Previous mediation attempts, including a meeting in Beijing in April, have not yielded concrete results. However, the upcoming meeting indicates China’s commitment to its role as a peace broker in the region.
Hamas will be represented by its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, while Fatah will send a delegation led by Mahmoud al-Aloul, the party’s deputy chairman. The two factions will meet separately and with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, on July 21 and July 23.
| Fatah Delegation | Hamas Delegation |
|---|---|
| Mahmoud al-Aloul, Deputy Chairman | Ismail Haniyeh, Political Leader |
