Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have signed a “unity” declaration in Beijing in a bid to end a years-long rift.
Hamas officials have said that the party does not want to return to ruling Gaza as it did before the conflict, and the group has called for a government to be agreed upon by the various Palestinian factions.
But the post-war governing of Gaza remains in doubt, with Israel vehemently opposed to any any role by Hamas since militants affiliated with the group launched its terror attack on Israel in October last year.
The two groups signed an agreement on "ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity," according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
The two rival Palestinian groups, along with 12 other political factions, met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, concluding talks that started Sunday, state media reported.
A joint statement gave no details on how or when the government would be formed, saying only that it would be done "by agreement among the factions."
Fatah and Hamas have been rivals since Hamas violently routed forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah in Gaza in 2007.
The Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, headed by Mr Abbas, administers parts of the occupied West Bank.
The US has suggested a reformed Palestinian Authority could rule postwar Gaza.
Israel has rejected that idea, but has not put forward an alternative for who will govern Gaza.
It comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told families of hostages held in Gaza that a deal that would secure their loved ones' release could be nearing.
“The conditions are undoubtedly ripening. This is a good sign," Mr Netanyahu told the families on Monday in Washington, where he was expected to meet US President Joe Biden later this week after making an address to Congress.
Efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal, outlined by Mr Biden in May and mediated by Egypt and Qatar, have gained momentum over the past month.
Ruby Chen, father of dual US-Israeli citizen Itai Chen, a soldier whose body is being held in Gaza, was among the relatives saying he was taking the claim “with a pinch of salt.”
