UN Secretary-General welcomes Beijing declaration to end Palestinian factional rivalry

New Delhi, July 24: The UN Secretary-General has welcomed a new agreement signed in Beijing by Hamas, Fatah, and other Palestinian factions aimed at ending years of political rivalry amidst the ongoing war in Gaza.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that António Guterres "very much welcomes the signing of the Beijing Declaration by the Palestinian factions," highlighting it as "an important step towards furthering Palestinian unity."

Since 2007, Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip after ousting Fatah, which governs the West Bank. Previous reconciliation attempts have failed. The new Beijing Declaration, facilitated by China and involving 14 Palestinian groups, aims to form a unified government but lacks a clear timeline or implementation details.

"The Secretary-General encourages all factions to overcome their differences through dialogue and urges them to follow up on the commitments made in Beijing," Dujarric said. He emphasized the importance of Palestinian unity for peace, and security, and advancing the aspirations for a fully independent, democratic, and sovereign Palestinian State.

Guterres expressed appreciation for China's diplomatic efforts and those of other countries involved. The UN remains committed to a comprehensive two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, based on pre-1967 lines with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, in line with UN resolutions and international law.

The United States and other Western nations have not recognized any Palestinian Government that includes Hamas without its recognition of the State of Israel. The US, UK, and others list Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

Israel, aiming to destroy Hamas, has stated it will not relinquish control of Gaza or allow the Palestinian Authority to govern there.