Fatah and Hamas have reached a deal to form an interim government and set a date for elections, Egyptian officials announced Wednesday. “The consultations resulted in full understandings over all points of discussions,” they said.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas may hope that a deal with Hamas will help his bid for unilateral statehood, as the subject of his total lack of influence in Gaza has been an obstacle until now. However, renewed partnership with Hamas may also deter European supporters, as most Western countries recognize Hamas as a terrorist group.