Rival Palestinian factions signed a deal to form a unity government today, hoping to end open warfare between their followers, but it was not clear if it was enough to end an international embargo.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal and Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh reached the agreement at crisis talks in Mecca after internecine fighting that has killed more than 90 Palestinians since December.
The agreement read out by Fatah official Nabil Amr made no mention of recognition of Israel. But a letter from Abbas, re-appointing Haniyeh as prime minister, said the new government should abide by "international law" and agreements signed by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
A Fatah official said there was concern on the Fatah side this would not be enough to end an aid blockade by Western countries. "We are afraid the Quartet will not accept this agreement and lift the siege," he said after the ceremony.
He was referring to a bloc consisting of the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia which demands Hamas must renounce violence, recognise Israel and commit itself to existing peace accords before sanctions can be lifted.
British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett called the unity unity government "interesting". "We will need to study these proposals carefully and discuss them with our European and other partners," she said in a statement.
"We'll (first) have to see what government Hamas presents and its programmes," an Israeli official said. Palestinian sources close to the Mecca talks said before the announcement that Hamas was ready to "respect" the accords with Israel if they "did not contradict Palestinian interests".
But Mr Abbas was seeking a clearer statement that it would be "committed" to them, to ensure the sanctions end.