Leaders of rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have signed a declaration aimed at ending division and strengthening unity.

A total of 14 Palestinian factions are due to be represented at a meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

It comes after days of talks to discuss reconciliation efforts to end around 17 years of political splits.

Tensions have been rising between Fatah and Hamas over the latter’s continued war with Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads the Fatah movement, has previously criticised the Islamist group for the war, while Hamas has accused the Palestinian president of taking Israel’s side.

The two main Palestinian factions have been at odds since Hamas won legislative elections in 2006 and took over the Gaza Strip in 2007 after a brief civil war in which it routed the Western-backed Palestinian forces loyal to Abbas.

Efforts since 2007 by Arab countries, led by Egypt, have so far failed to end power-sharing disputes between Hamas, which runs Gaza, and the Fatah movement of Abbas, which makes the backbone of the Palestinian Authority.

Israel confirms deaths of two hostages in Gaza

ICJ rules Israel settlement policy in occupied Palestinian territories in breach of international law

UK government to resume funding for UNRWA in Gaza

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Keep up with the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

China’s relations with the Palestinians stretch back to the 1960s when Beijing provided food, weapons, training and support to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

More recently China has developed significant financial interests in the Middle East, but hosting the Palestinian reconciliation talks is a sign of it trying to increase its diplomatic clout in the region, at a time when its relationship with Israel – with whom it has economic interests – is strained over the Gaza conflict.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Related posts:

Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony gets under way – with the theme ‘we have wings’ UN warns of ‘summary executions’ in Afghanistan and restrictions on women’s rights Chelsea says Ukraine situation ‘horrific’ after Abramovich fails to mention crisis in stewardship statement Ukraine claims control of key city Kharkiv after fierce clashes with Russian forces BP to offload its 19.75% stake in state-owned Russian oil giant Rosneft ‘Fart tax, what a joke’: New Zealand farmers protest levy on animal emissions King’s historic speech to German parliament was serious and personal – with one glaring omission Groom dies 10 minutes after getting married Despite the standing ovations and vows of support, Zelenskyy’s Western allies are falling short Three killed as fierce storms and tornadoes damage homes and businesses in US More officers to join search for Michael Mosley as his disappearance is described as ‘strange’ Six injured on first day of annual bull run in Spain