The role of Russia in inter-Palestinian settlement and the prospects of the Palestinian factor in world politics

The article focuses on the role of the Russian Federation in the negotiation process between the main Palestinian political forces, Fatah and Hamas, as it is through its efforts that consultations with the opposing forces are conducted on a regular basis. Special attention is given to the political divide between the main Palestinian parties as the main obstacle to intra-Palestinian reconciliation. This divide has not only led to fierce clashes between followers of different political factions but has also significantly impacted the prospects for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the nearly two decades since the split in 2007, Fatah and Hamas have signed several reconciliation agreements, yet calls for reconciliation from both sides have largely been rhetorical in nature. Deep mistrust, as well as substantial ideological differences, have led to the failure of all reconciliation attempts, and tensions between the two key Palestinian political parties continue to this day. The methodology employed includes a comprehensive analysis of political documents (such as statements from Fatah and Hamas, as well as official Russian positions), a comparative analysis of the foreign policy approaches of Russia and Western countries, and empirical observations of diplomatic initiatives, including negotiations in Moscow and Beijing. The scientific novelty of the study lies in being one of the first attempts in recent years to systematize and analyze Russia's efforts to bring the positions of leading players on the intra-Palestinian track closer together. The results indicate that deep ideological and political disagreements between Fatah and Hamas remain the main obstacle to the creation of a unified Palestinian state and stable conflict resolution. At the same time, Russian diplomacy occupies a unique position by maintaining regular dialogue with both sides, setting it apart from many Western nations. An analysis of recent events and negotiations, including meetings in Moscow and Beijing, reveals the prospects for the gradual restoration of national unity among Palestinians with the active involvement of Russia and China.