US to review China-mediated Palestinian unity deal; opposes role for Hamas

WASHINGTON

The US State Department announced Tuesday that it would review a China-mediated deal to heal the years-long rift between Palestinian factions and form a national unity government.

It voiced opposition to a role for the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

"We have not reviewed the text of the so-called Beijing declaration, of course, we will do that. We have made clear for months Hamas is a terrorist organization, something that we obviously made clear before Oct. 7," spokesman Matthew Miller said at a news conference.

"When it comes to governance of Gaza at the end of the conflict, there can't be a role for a terrorist organization. Hamas has long been a terrorist organization. They have the blood of innocent civilians both Israelis and Palestinians on their hands. And so, when you look at the post-conflict governance of Gaza, as we've made clear, we want to see the Palestinian Authority governing a unified Gaza in the West Bank. But no, we do not support a role for Hamas," said Miller.

He said the US encourages China to use its influence with countries in the region to discourage any escalation in the conflict -- a reference to Tehran.

"So, for example, Iran, which continues to finance and support proxies that have launched attacks on Israel, or in the case of the Houthis, (that) have launched attacks on commercial shipping," said Miller, adding that the US continues to urge Beijing to use its influence to bring the attacks to an end. "And we'll continue to do that.”

Palestinian groups reached a reconciliation agreement Monday following three days of talks in Beijing to end the political division since 2007.

Representatives from 14 groups, including the rival Fatah and Hamas, signed a statement pledging to end the division and strengthen unity.

The agreement is aimed at maintaining Palestinian control over the Gaza Strip following the end of Israel’s onslaught against the enclave.

The signatories said they would form an interim National Unity Government to supervise the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza and hold elections.