A Hamas military commander was killed Tuesday in a shootout with Fatah gunmen shortly before the leaders of the two groups met to try to bridge their differences over a power-sharing deal. A spokesman for Hamas' military wing, Abu Obeidah, blamed the killing of Allah Haddad, 35, on the Preventive Security force loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah.The security force confirmed that one of its people was wounded in a shooting incident, but said the matter was a family feud and that the officer was not on duty. The battle erupted after members of a Gaza family tried to recover a stolen car, and its passengers — members of a Hamas militia — opened fire, the force said.
Shortly after the shooting, Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas met in Gaza City to try to arrive at a consensus candidate for interior minister. The interior minister oversees some security forces, and disagreements over this key appointment have held up the formation of a government. The meeting ended without agreement on a candidate, but the two sides agreed to continue consultations.