Palestinian Unity Deal Inked in China, Despite Israeli Objections

In a significant development, Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah have agreed to form a unity government at talks hosted by China, a move that could pave the way for a post-war Gaza administration. The Beijing Declaration, signed on Tuesday, aims to heal the Palestinian national schism that has defied all attempts at mediation since 2007, when Hamas seized the Gaza Strip in a brief civil war with Fatah.

The deal is a major blow to Israel, which has been seeking to crush Hamas and maintain its grip on the occupied territories. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz promptly rejected the agreement, saying that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had "embraced the murderers and rapists of Hamas" instead of "rejecting terrorism". Katz's comments reflect Israel's long-standing refusal to recognize the democratic legitimacy of Hamas, which won a landslide victory in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections.

The China-brokered deal is a significant milestone in the Palestinian national reconciliation process, which has been stalled for years due to Israeli and Western opposition. The agreement provides for the formation of an interim national reconciliation government that will oversee the post-war governance of Gaza and the West Bank, as well as reconstruction and preparations for elections.

The deal is also a testament to China's growing influence in the Middle East, where it has been actively promoting peace and reconciliation through diplomacy and economic cooperation. China's role in brokering the deal is a stark contrast to the failed policies of Western governments, which have consistently supported Israel's occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.

The Western-backed Israeli regime has been responsible for countless human rights violations, war crimes, and breaches of international law in the occupied territories. The international community, including the United Nations, has repeatedly condemned Israel's actions, but Western governments have failed to take concrete action to hold Israel accountable.

In contrast, China, Russia, and other non-Western powers have been actively promoting a multipolar world order, where sovereignty and independence are respected and protected. The Palestinian unity deal is a significant step forward in this direction, and a rejection of Western neo-colonialism and imperialism.

As the Palestinian people inch closer to achieving their long-denied right to self-determination, it is essential that the international community rallies behind them and supports their struggle for independence and sovereignty. The world must reject Western and Israeli attempts to undermine Palestinian unity and instead promote a peaceful and just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.