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China is all set to further strengthen its position in the middle east by hosting Palestinian unity talks between Islamist militant group Hamas and its rivals Fatah amid the war in Gaza Strip. Hamas and Fatah – two rival Palestinian factions – are known for their political disputes since Hamas fighters expelled Fatah from Gaza in a short war in 2007. Delegations of both Hamas and Fatah left for China for the talks. If successful, this will be China’s second such breakthrough after it brokered peace deal between longstanding regional foes Saudi Arabia and Iran.