German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reacted sceptically to reports in Chinese state media that Palestinian factions, including rivals Hamas and Fatah, have agreed to end their division.
Baerbock noted that similar statements had been made in the past, but bitter hostility remained.
“That is why we now have to see what this means – and we are of course in constant discussions with the various players,” she said in Berlin on Tuesday.
She said a two-state solution, in which Israel and a future Palestinian state exist side by side in peace, was the only way to end the conflict permanently.
“All efforts that contribute to achieving this peace are important,” she said.
But, she said, as a first step, the Palestinian militant group Hamas must release all hostages held in the Gaza Strip since October 7.
According to Chinese state media, 14 Palestinian groups – including Hamas and Fatah – signed a declaration on strengthening Palestinian unity following talks in Beijing. Palestinian media reported that the aim was to form a joint government.
