Hamas reshuffle constrains China as Yahya Sinwar consolidates power

Analysis

Joyce Karam

Aug 8, 2024

TOPSHOT - (L-R) Mahmoud al-Aloul, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of Palestinian organisation and political party Fatah, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Mussa Abu Marzuk, senior member of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, attend an event at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on July 23, 2024. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 23 hailed an agreement by 14 Palestinian factions to set up an "interim national reconciliation government" to govern Gaza after the war. (Photo by Pe — Mahmoud al-Aloul, vice chairman of the Central Committee of Fatah, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Hamas senior Mussa Abu Marzuk attend an event at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on July 23, 2024. — PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images

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Unfolding developments in the Middle East following the assassinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in the heart of the Iranian capital and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut have the region on edge, fearing an all-out war between Israel and Iran.

In the midst of the crisis, China is struggling to find its diplomatic footing to help avert a crisis as mediation efforts by Washington and regional countries take the forefront.

Despite Beijing's recent diplomatic intentions, the assassination of Haniyeh and the subsequent reshuffling of Hamas' leadership undermine China's influence and its dealmaking efforts in the region.