TEHRAN– Iran has expressed strong approval for a China-mediated agreement aimed at mending the rift between Palestinian factions and establishing a national unity government, calling it a significant move towards reconciliation and consensus.

Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, lauded the recent meeting of Palestinian groups in Beijing, which centered on national unity and reconciliation. "The recent meeting of Palestinian groups in Beijing, focused on national reconciliation and unity, is a valuable step in the right direction," Kanaani wrote in a post on the social media platform X on Friday.

Kanaani reiterated Iran’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the importance of unity among Palestinian groups to resist the "apartheid Israeli regime." He affirmed Tehran's backing of the Palestinian efforts to reclaim their right to self-determination, liberate their lands, and establish an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital.

The reconciliation agreement was reached by Palestinian groups on Tuesday after three days of intensive discussions in Beijing. This deal aims to end the political division that has persisted since 2007. Representatives from 14 Palestinian groups, including the Fatah and Hamas movements, signed a new statement pledging to end their division and enhance unity. The signatories also committed to forming an interim national unity government to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza and to organize new elections.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the agreement as a dedication to the reconciliation and unity of all 14 factions. He noted that the factions had reached an accord on post-Gaza war governance and the formation of a provisional national reconciliation government.

This announcement comes over nine months after Israel launched a war on Gaza following a surprise retaliatory operation by Palestinian Resistance groups. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 39,175 Gazans, mostly women, children, and adolescents, with another 90,403 Palestinians injured.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized the dire and chaotic conditions in Gaza, describing the situation as "total lawlessness."

China has historically shown support for the Palestinian cause and advocated for a two-state solution to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.