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A rapprochement between rival Palestinian factions could make post-war governance of Gaza more viable.
By Adam Rasgon and Vivian Wang
Adam Rasgon reported from Doha and Jerusalem, and Vivian Wang from Beijing.
China will host senior Hamas and Fatah officials for an assembly 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 see the willingness of Hamas and Fatah to work together as very important for Gaza’s post-war reconstruction.
Previous attempts at mediation between the two teams – including a meeting 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 Palestinian factions on July 21 and return on July 23; Meanwhile, the two teams would meet separately. China’s Foreign Ministry did not respond promptly to a request for comment.
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