“The signing of the Beijing declaration by Palestinian factions is a step forward in the efforts to push for reconciliation and unity among Palestinians, particularly amid the conflict in Gaza,” Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Laos, as quoted in a press release from her office.

“Indonesia is hoping what has been agreed can be implemented,” she said, adding that unity “is key to creating peace and developing the future of Palestine”.

Hamas announced on Tuesday that it had signed the declaration in Beijing with other Palestinian organizations, including rival Fatah, to work together for "national unity", AFP reported, with China describing it as a deal to rule Gaza together once the war with Israel ends.

Longtime rivals Hamas and Fatah fought a brief but bloody war in 2007, when Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip. Fatah continues to dominate the Palestinian Authority, which has limited administrative control over urban areas in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The Beijing declaration comes as Israel continues its Gaza bombardment more than nine months into its war on Hamas, triggered by the militant group’s surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Israel immediately slammed the deal, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz insisting that "Hamas rule will be crushed" and accusing Palestinian Authority president and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas of embracing Hamas.

Analysts told AFP in an interview that they were still trying to assess the significance of the Chinese-brokered deal, but one analyst said it risked being little more than a "piece of paper", given the Palestinian factions' long history of failed attempts at reconciliation.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “very much welcomed” the deal, according to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

"I think all steps towards unity are to be welcomed and encouraged,” Dujarric said, as quoted by AFP.

Since the war broke out in Gaza last year, Indonesia has deployed its diplomatic machine to push for a permanent ceasefire and the two-state solution at various international forums, including at bilateral engagements with its partners and through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Jakarta has also sent relief aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip through humanitarian military operations via Egypt. (ipa)