Palestinian factions sign declaration in Beijing on bolstering unity

Representatives of Palestinian factions signed on Tuesday in Beijing a declaration pledging to end division and strengthen unity, which officials and observers said marks a key step in promoting reconciliation within Palestine and creating conditions for ending the Gaza conflict.

The declaration was signed after three days of reconciliation talks among 14 factions, including the two largest Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah.

It is the first gathering of the 14 Palestinian groups in Beijing, which China said provides hope for the Palestinian people in the abyss of misery. Representatives of Fatah and Hamas had held a dialogue in April in Beijing on promoting intra-Palestinian reconciliation.