Mapim calls for global support on unity deal amongst Palestinian factions

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (Mapim) has called for strong support from the international community on the unity deal amongst Palestinian factions and rejects Israel's vehement opposition to any Hamas role in governing Gaza.

In a statement, its president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid stressed the importance of this unity deal amidst the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians due to Israel's relentless attacks.

He said Mapim hailed the unity deal signed by Hamas and Fatah in Beijing aimed at maintaining Palestinian control over Gaza once Israel’s war on the enclave concluded.

"We endorse the unity coalition of Palestinians and call all Muslim leaders to embrace it.

"The agreed "interim national reconciliation government" is most vital in the light of the full genocidal assault by Israel, which should be a crucial reason why unity between Hamas and Fatah is paramount," Azmi said.

He said the agreement, supported by 14 Palestinian factions, aimed to form an "interim national reconciliation government" to oversee Gaza after the conflict.

This move, he said was seen as the only reasonable path forward, as a fragmented approach would be detrimental to the region's recovery and future stability.

"The fact that a "national unity" agreement aimed at maintaining Palestinian control over Gaza once Israel’s war on the enclave concludes, Gaza will have to face the tremendous challenge to rebuild, starting from almost zero.

"It will take years to rebuild and a united Palestine is an obvious requirement," he said.

On Tuesday, Palestinian factions agreed to form an "interim national reconciliation" government focused on the post-war governance of Gaza.

Representatives from 14 groups of Palestinian factions signed the Beijing Declaration after holding talks in Beijing since Sunday.

The agreement included four key elements which were the establishment of an interim national unity government, the formation of unified Palestinian leadership ahead of future elections, the free election of a new Palestinian National Council and a general declaration of unity in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks.

Commenting further, Azmi said the move towards a unity government was crucial to defeat Israel.

"It must be recognised that Israel has weaponised the division amongst Palestian factions since its occupation on Palestine.

"We are indeed glad to know that Hamas hails the "unity deal" with other Palestinian groups," he said.

He also said the critical situation in Gaza must be resolved with the Palestinians' unity in one front to resist the occupation.

Reconciliation, he said should be the turning point in the internal Palestinian relations and only unity can pave the future of a free Palestine.

"The partial administrative control of the occupied West Bank has not hindered the continuous atrocoties by the israel occupied forces.

"Aside from the illegal settlement of Jews and the aggression in rampaging homes and lands of Palestinians, even the Holy Al Aqsa mosque has been targeted.

"To resist the Israel savage, unity is the only strength.

Azmi also emphasised the importance of implementing the unity deal with political will, dialogue and consultation to achieve lasting reconciliation.

He said Gaza could not be another occupied territory of Israel since Israel's withdrawal in 2006.

"We condemn Israel's denouncement of the deal. We strongly reject its stance to negate Hamas's role in Gaza," he added.