What’s New
Rival factions, Hamas and Fatah, are set to engage in another round of reconciliation talks in China during mid-June. Sources told Reuters that this denotes yet another attempt for unity between these Palestinian factions following recent meetings in Russia and China.
Why It Matters
The ongoing talks represent an attempt to create a unified Palestinian political entity, which could likely influence post-conflict governance of Gaza and the West Bank. However, the difference in approaches to peace and governance between the factions complicates these efforts.
State of Play
Senior Hamas officials have acknowledged that the group cannot join any new Palestinian government recognized by the international community. They are pushing for a technocratic administration for the West Bank and Gaza as part of a broader political agreement. Hamas supports political unity and restructuring of the Palestinian entity, but participation in the government isn’t a prerequisite for reconciliation according to Hamas senior officials.
The Backdrop
Reconciliation efforts dating years back have seen little success. The thrust increased after Hamas’s terror attack in southern Israel on October 7, which led to international consensus against Hamas retaining any official postwar role in the territory. Despite this, Hamas’s significant grassroots support—around 59% among Palestinians—ensures it retains influence over the political landscape.
Israel’s Perspective
After the violent October attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 individuals, the group’s aims clash directly against Israeli security imperatives and Hamas’s recognition as a terrorist organization by Western states. PM Netanyahu sees dismantling Hamas’s influence as a strategic necessity.
What’s Next
Global bodies like the United States and EU align with Israel in rejecting Hamas’s role in future Gazan governance. Western-driven thoughts lean towards re-establishing Palestinian Authority control over Gaza postwar. This aligns with the viewpoint that Hamas may lurk in the background while allowing more recognized entities to govern visibly to align with international diplomatic standards.
Hamas in Reconciliation
Despite Hamas pressing for involvement in consensus governance and elections within Palestinian territories, its rigid stance and armament could render unity talk outcomes volatile. Reflecting on PLO 1982 outcomes, stakeholders seem wary of such integrated political entraining potentially cloaking rearming endeavors through transitional phases.
Fatah Stance
Fatah leaders display resistance towards seamless reconciliation under current terms. They seek full administrative control over Gaza and adherence to PLO’s history and agreements, notably Fatah-Fatah-1980 (Oslo Accords). The reconciliation guise should incorporate proper ownership and control facets internally and externally sponsored aid frameworks acceptability.
Expert Analysis
Discussions spotlight tactical disputes and governance realities. While unified posturing could be positive structurally for Palestinian society at large, executing sustainable political unity and governance articulations involves navigating historical trenchancy, trusted stature abroad, consistent ideology within coalescing logistics wariness.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.