(NewsSpace.com) – The Israel-Hamas conflict has been ongoing since last October. The United States has tried to foster negotiations for a cease-fire to help get aid into Gaza and release hostages under Hamas’ control, but to no effect. Two Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, recently signed a unity agreement in Beijing, and the US has spoken out about it.
Deemed the “Beijing Declaration,” the agreement was signed by 14 factions that participated in negotiations held by Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister. Musa Abu Marzouk, who is one of the senior leaders in Hamas, called for “national unity.” The agreement would end the split between Fatah and Hamas, which has been divided since 2007, when the terrorist group perpetrated its violent takeover of Gaza. Fatah dominates the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority. Hamas does not recognize Israel.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, July 23, Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, said Washington rejected the idea of a Palestinian Arab unity deal involving Hamas in government rule. Washington “want[s] to see the Palestinian Authority governing a unified Gaza and the West Bank,” he said, but not with Hamas. He noted that it has “long been a terrorist organization” and “There can’t be a role for” them as part of a government.
Miller refused to comment in-depth on the agreement with reporters, stating that he didn’t “want to pass judgment” at that moment “because [Washington hadn’t] reviewed the full text” just yet. However, he made it clear that the deal should not have an impact on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Miller also noted that this type of behavior isn’t out of the realm of China’s wheelhouse. Wang Yi has been involved in other negotiations, and the US regularly relies on him to work with nations that China has a better diplomatic relationship with, such as Iran.
Copyright 2024, NewsSpace.com
