The agreement follows a Knesset decision totally rejecting Palestinian statehood, and comes as ceasefire efforts remain stalled due to Israel’s position on continuing the war.

Hamas, the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Fatah party, and twelve other Palestinian factions have signed a Chinese-brokered reconciliation agreement during meetings in Beijing, which began on 21 July and ended on 23 July.

The 14 factions agreed on “ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity,” Chinese broadcaster CCTV reported on 23 July.

The agreement was “dedicated to the great reconciliation and unity of all 14 factions,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

“The core outcome is that the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) is the sole legitimate representative of all Palestinian people. An agreement has been reached on post Gaza war governance and the establishment of a provisional national reconciliation........

© Pearls and Irritations