China to Host Unprecedented Unity Talks Between Hamas and Fatah Amid Gaza Crisis
China is set to host unity talks between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and its rival Fatah.
Hamas controls Gaza and is responsible for the deadly conflict with Israel in October 2020, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and the capture of 253 hostages.
Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas.
Fatah, led by Mahmoud Abbas, governs the Palestinian Authority in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The two factions have been unable to reconcile since Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza in a 2007 war.
China's involvement marks a significant diplomatic move in the ongoing Palestinian conflict.
A delegation from the Fatah party, led by Azzam Al-Ahmed, has traveled to China for reconciliation talks with Hamas.
Hamas' delegation, headed by Moussa Abu Marzouk, is expected to join later on Friday.
China has expressed support for Palestinian reconciliation and increasing solidarity among factions.
This is the first publicly known Hamas delegation visit to China since the Gaza war began.
Washington is cautious about the reconciliation efforts as it backs the PA but labels Hamas as terrorists.
China has not confirmed the meeting.
Chinese diplomat Wang Kejian met with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar last month to support reconciliation efforts between Palestinian rival groups.
China, which has growing diplomatic influence in the Middle East, brokered a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran last year.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping and officials how China can contribute to resolving global crises, including the Middle East.
China has been advocating for a larger-scale Israeli-Palestinian peace conference and a specific timetable for a two-state solution in international forums.
China has called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on the legality of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.
Beijing also supports Palestine's bid to join the United Nations, which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described as rectifying a historical injustice.