China Hosts 'Unity' Talks Between Palestinian Fatah and Hamas Terrorists

Lin said Hamas and Fatah sent representatives to Beijing at China's invitation for "In-depth and candid dialogue on promoting Palestinian reconciliation." Lebanon's Al Mayadeen News, which is widely believed to be affiliated with Hezbollah, quoted a "Palestinian source" who said Hamas and Fatah discussed "The importance of unifying the Palestinian position regarding the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from the Strip," plus resistance to Israeli "Settlers" in the West Bank - in other words, everything they already agreed on. Hamas and Fatah have been at odds since Hamas used deadly violence to expel Fatah from Gaza in 2007. In addition to squabbling over power, Fatah and Hamas have significant ideological divisions, with Fatah generally marketing itself as the more reasonable faction. Hamas seems particularly determined to quash the Biden administration's notions that Fatah could take over in Gaza after Israel wipes Hamas out, or that a "Two-state solution" for the Palestinians might be possible if Hamas is frozen out of power. China has refused to condemn the Hamas atrocities of October 7, strongly backs Hamas demands for a "Cease-fire" that would preserve its viability as a military and terrorist force, and seems willing to indulge every allegation Hamas levels against Israel. The Chinese may have calculated there is no way to maintain their image as an increasingly influential superpower and global deal-maker without arranging a rapprochement between Hamas and Fatah to sustain the illusion of a nascent Palestinian "State" with responsible leadership.