Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz asserted that Israel’s security will remain solely in its hands, in his first response to the signing of an agreement by Palestinian factions in Beijing aimed at ending their division and reinforcing Palestinian national unity. According to a statement on the platform “X” (formerly Twitter), Katz commented, “Hamas and Fatah have signed an agreement in China to jointly control Gaza after the war, but this will not happen in reality.”
Katz criticized Mahmoud Abbas for embracing Hamas, stating, “Instead of rejecting terrorism, Mahmoud Abbas embraces the murderers of Hamas, revealing his true face. In reality, this will not happen because Hamas’ rule will be crushed, and Abbas will watch Gaza from a distance. Israel’s security will remain in the hands of Israel alone.”
The Palestinian factions signed a declaration in Beijing earlier today to end the division and strengthen Palestinian national unity, as reported by the Sputnik correspondent. Chinese television earlier reported that leaders from both Fatah and Hamas movements would meet with journalists in Beijing alongside the Chinese Foreign Minister. The meeting in Beijing followed a gathering of Fatah and Hamas with other Palestinian factions at the end of April.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian commented at a press conference, “Representatives from Fatah and Hamas movements have come to Beijing a few days ago to engage in deep and candid dialogue.”
Both sides “agreed to continue the path of talks to achieve Palestinian solidarity and unity soon.” A second round of Palestinian dialogue was scheduled for June 23 but was postponed at the request of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, as announced by Palestinian factions including Hamas at that time.
