Imad al-Alami, a senior Hamas figure who was one of the founders of the movement, has died after accidentally shooting himself in the head.

The former member of Hamas's political bureau, who was classified a "specially designated global terrorist" by the US in 2003, was reportedly inspecting his own gun on January 9 when it accidentally discharged.

Despite the efforts of doctors at Gaza City’s Shifa hospital, Mr al-Alami died earlier on Tuesday.

He was seriously injured in 2014, when his residence was bombed and one of his legs had to be amputated. The treatment for those injuries took place in a Turkish hospital and Mr al-Alami remained in Turkey for some time following the surgery.

There were reports at the time of the bombing that it was part of an internal Hamas power struggle, but the group maintained that Mr al-Alami was hurt during an Israeli air strike during that year’s conflict.

Rumours circulated that Mr Mr al-Alami took his own life as a result of those injuries or that he may have been assassinated, but Hamas spokesman Fawzy Barhoum maintained to  Israel National News that the death was the result of an accident.