In an attack whose motives were unclear, masked gunmen shot dead a Palestinian Authority official’s bodyguard in Gaza this week.
The shot’s were fired outside the home of Mahmoud Abu Marzook, head of the civil guard in the Gaza Strip.
Marzook, a supporter of Yasser Arafat, was unharmed. The name of the bodyguard was not immediately available.
He is the brother of Moussa Abu Marzook, the political bureau chief of the Islamic fundamentalist Hamas movement who is being held in the United States.
Tuesday’s attack came just two days before Israel formally asked the United States to hand over Moussa Abu Marzook, who was arrested July 25 as he tried to enter the United States.
Israel has alleged that Marzook is responsible for a series of suicide attacks that killed scores of Israelis.
Marzook, who has lived in the United States for many years, has acknowledged serving as a political leader of Hamas, but denies taking part in any attacks against civilians.
A Justice Ministry spokeswoman said Israel has sent the United States a 900- page extradition request. An extradition hearing is scheduled to begin Oct. 17.
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