Imad al-Alami
Hamas official shot in the head in Gaza
Unclear whether Imad al-Alami, who oversaw Hamas military operations in the West Bank from Syria, was shot in an assassination attempt, tried to take his own life or accidentally shot himself.
Senior Hamas official Imad al-Alami was shot to head and seriously injured in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
The circumstances behind the injury are still unclear. It is possible he tried to take his own life after being diagnosed with cancer a year ago, or that he was hurt in an assassination attempt. A third option is that his handgun accidentally discharged, hitting him.
Imad al-Alami
A Gaza source said al-Alami was likely dead, even though an official announcement has not yet been made.
Al-Alami immigrated to the Gaza Strip from Syria after the civil war broke out.
In Syria, he was responsible for organizing operations and instructing Hamas's military wing in the West Bank.
During Operation Protective Edge in 2014, in an incident covered up by Hamas, unknown perpetrators broke al-Alami's legs, apparently by throwing him from a high place. He was apparently smuggled to Egypt, where he received treatment.
Some believe the assault was the result of a feud al-Alami had with senior Hamas official Fathi Hamad.
