Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar attends a rally marking the 34th anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City, December 17, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem 

Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar gestures during an interview with Reuters, in Gaza City September 8, 2018. Picture taken September 8, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem 

Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar gestures during an interview with Reuters, in Gaza City September 8, 2018. Picture taken September 8, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem 

Palestinian parliament deputy speaker Ahmed Bahar of Hamas and senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar attend the Palestinian National Popular Conference in Gaza City April 29, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem 

Palestinian parliament deputy speaker Ahmed Bahar of Hamas and senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar attend the Palestinian National Popular Conference in Gaza City April 29, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem 

Palestinian Hamas lawmaker Mahmoud al-Zahar attends an urgent parliament session on the situation in Jerusalem, in Gaza City July 27, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar speaks during a meeting with Foreign Press Association, in Gaza City February 24, 2016. Speaking to members of the Foreign Press Association in Gaza, Mahmoud al-Zahar, a medical doctor seen by many as a hardliner, suggested the prospects of reconciliation with the rival Fatah party of President Mahmoud Abbas were slim, despite years of international efforts to forge unity. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar looks on after a meeting with Foreign Press Association, in Gaza City February 24, 2016. Picture taken February 24, 2016. Speaking to members of the Foreign Press Association in Gaza, Mahmoud al-Zahar, a medical doctor seen by many as a hardliner, suggested the prospects of reconciliation with the rival Fatah party of President Mahmoud Abbas were slim, despite years of international efforts to forge unity. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Senior Hamas leaders Emad al-Alami (R) and Mahmoud Zahar (C) ride in a pickup truck to greet the crowd after taking part in a rally marking the 28th anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 14, 2015. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar (2nd R), appearing for the first time since the start of a seven-week conflict, holds hands during a rally by Palestinians celebrating what they said was a victory over Israel, following a ceasefire in Gaza City August 26, 2014. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinians aimed at ending their seven-week conflict in Gaza went into effect on Tuesday and joyous Palestinians streamed into the streets of the battered enclave to celebrate. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar (C), appearing for the first time since the start of a seven-week conflict, hugs senior Islamic Jihad leader Mohammed al-Hindi, during a rally by Palestinians celebrating what they said was a victory over Israel, following a ceasefire in Gaza City August 26, 2014. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinians aimed at ending their seven-week conflict in Gaza went into effect on Tuesday and joyous Palestinians streamed into the streets of the battered enclave to celebrate. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar, appearing for the first time since the start of a seven-week conflict, speaks during a rally by Palestinians celebrating what they said was a victory over Israel, following a ceasefire in Gaza City August 26, 2014. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinians aimed at ending their seven-week conflict in Gaza went into effect on Tuesday and joyous Palestinians streamed into the streets of the battered enclave to celebrate. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures as he meets Palestinian businessmen at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah April 29, 2014. Veteran Hamas strategist Mahmoud Al-Zahar told Reuters the group, which runs the Gaza Strip, was waiting for Abbas to form a unity government, but said the Palestinian leader was taking his time in an effort to overcome U.S. and Israeli opposition. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS HEADSHOT) 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures as he meets Palestinian businessmen at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah April 29, 2014. Veteran Hamas strategist Mahmoud Al-Zahar told Reuters the group, which runs the Gaza Strip, was waiting for Abbas to form a unity government, but said the Palestinian leader was taking his time in an effort to overcome U.S. and Israeli opposition. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS) 

Veteran Hamas strategist Mahmoud Al-Zahar gestures during an interview with Reuters at his house in Gaza City April 29, 2014. A Palestinian unity deal will not lead Islamist group Hamas to recognise Israel's right to exist and will not result in any Gaza militants coming under President Mahmoud Abbas's control, Al-Zahar said on Tuesday. To match Interview PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL/HAMAS REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Veteran Hamas strategist Mahmoud Al-Zahar gestures during an interview with Reuters at his house in Gaza City April 29, 2014. A Palestinian unity deal will not lead Islamist group Hamas to recognise Israel's right to exist and will not result in any Gaza militants coming under President Mahmoud Abbas's control, Al-Zahar said on Tuesday. To match Interview PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL/HAMAS REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Veteran Hamas strategist Mahmoud Al-Zahar gestures during an interview with Reuters at his house in Gaza City April 29, 2014. A Palestinian unity deal will not lead Islamist group Hamas to recognise Israel's right to exist and will not result in any Gaza militants coming under President Mahmoud Abbas's control, Al-Zahar said on Tuesday. To match Interview PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL/HAMAS REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk (R) hugs senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar in Gaza City April 21, 2014. Abu Marzouk arrived at the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Monday to take part in unity talks with rival Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas, which are planned for Tuesday, Hamas officials said. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Head of Hamas security services Salah Abu Sharekh (L) speaks with senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar (R) during a graduation ceremony for members of Hamas security forces in Gaza City January 2, 2013. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Senior Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh (L) and Mahmoud Al-Zahar (R) pray at the stage during a rally marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of Hamas, in Gaza City December 8, 2012. Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, in an uncompromising speech during his first ever visit to Gaza after decades of exile, told a mass rally on Saturday he would never recognise Israel and pledged to "free the land of Palestine inch by inch". REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY CIVIL UNREST RELIGION) 

A Palestinian woman walks next to a banner that reads "Thanks and gratitude to Iran" in Gaza City November 27, 2012. Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar showed how fragile the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinians remained, with defiant remarks to reporters recently of how the Islamists would go on smuggling in weapons "by all possible means", including via Israel's arch-foe Iran. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot (GAZA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) 

Senior Hamas member Mahmoud Zahar (2nd R) stands with two Coptic Christian priests during Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh's speech after Friday prayers at Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo February 24, 2012. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) 

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Zahar speaks during an interview with Reuters at his house in Gaza City January 9, 2012. The coming rise of Islamism in the Arab world will strengthen support for the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which will not give up its armed confrontation with Israel, Al-Zahar said on Monday. To match Interview PALESTINIANS-HAMAS/ REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Zahar gestures during an interview with Reuters at his house in Gaza City January 9, 2012. The coming rise of Islamism in the Arab world will strengthen support for the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which will not give up its armed confrontation with Israel, Al-Zahar said on Monday. To match Interview PALESTINIANS-HAMAS/ REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal (2nd L) and Mahmoud Al-Zahar meet with Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir (R) in Khartoum December 29, 2011. REUTERS/ Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah (SUDAN - Tags: POLITICS) 

Azzam al-Ahmad, head of the Fatah group (L), changes seats with Mousa Abu Marzook (C), a senior member of Hamas, near Mahmoud al-Zahar (R), a co-founder of Hamas and a member of the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip, during a news conference in Cairo April 27, 2011. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group has inked a deal with bitter rival Hamas to end their long-running feud and form an interim government ahead of elections this year, officials said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) 

Azzam al-Ahmad (C), head of the Fatah group, speaks as he sits in between Mousa Abu Marzook (L), a senior member of Hamas, and Mahmoud al-Zahar (R), a co-founder of Hamas and a member of the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip, during a news conference in Cairo April 27, 2011. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group has inked a deal with bitter rival Hamas to end their long-running feud and form an interim government ahead of elections this year, officials said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Hamas senior leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar (L) talks to Sudanese Presidential assistant Nafie Ali Nafie during the opening of the eighth Al-Quds (Jerusalem) International Foundation conference in Khartoum March 6, 2011. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah (SUDAN - Tags: POLITICS) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar steps on an Israeli flag in Gaza city in preparation for the movement's 23rd anniversary next week December 9, 2010. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY CIVIL UNREST) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar burns Israeli flags in Gaza city in preparation for the movement's 23rd anniversary next week December 9, 2010. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY CIVIL UNREST) 

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal (R) talks during a news conference at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo June 9, 2009. Standing at left is Hamas senior leader Mahmoud al-Zahar. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT POLITICS) 

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal (2nd L) and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa (2nd R) laugh during a news conference with Hamas senior leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar (L) and Moussa Abu Marzouk at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo June 9, 2009. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT POLITICS) 

Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is surrounded by his bodyguards after attending Friday prayers in al-Qarbi mosque in Gaza April 17, 2009. Hamas's two top leaders in the Gaza Strip made their first public appearances on Friday, having gone to ground during the January war with Israel, witnesses said. They said that Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud al-Zahar delivered separate mosque sermons. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA POLITICS RELIGION) 

Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh speaks to people during Friday prayers in al-Qarbi mosque in Gaza April 17, 2009. Hamas's two top leaders in the Gaza Strip made their first public appearances on Friday, having gone to ground during the January war with Israel, witnesses said. They said that Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud al-Zahar delivered separate mosque sermons. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA POLITICS RELIGION) 

Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (C) shakes hands with people after attending Friday prayers in al-Qarbi mosque in Gaza April 17, 2009. Hamas's two top leaders in the Gaza Strip made their first public appearances on Friday, having gone to ground during the January war with Israel, witnesses said. They said that Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud al-Zahar delivered separate mosque sermons. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA POLITICS RELIGION IMAGE OF THE DAY TOP PICTURE) 

A Palestinian man hugs senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (C) after attending Friday prayers in al-Qarbi mosque in Gaza April 17, 2009. Hamas's two top leaders in the Gaza Strip made their first public appearances on Friday, having gone to ground during the January war with Israel, witnesses said. They said that Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud al-Zahar delivered separate mosque sermons. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA POLITICS RELIGION) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar speaks during a news conference after a meeting with Syria's Vice President Farouq al-Shara in Damascus February 11, 2009. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) 

Senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar (L) and Salah al-Bardaweel speak during a news conference after a meeting with Syria's Vice President Farouq al-Shara in Damascus February 11, 2009. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) 

Syria's Vice President Farouq al-Shara (R) shakes hands with senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar before a meeting in Damascus February 11, 2009. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar arrives to meet Syria's Vice President Farouq al-Shara in Damascus February 11,2009. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) 

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal speaks during a news conference in Khartoum, February 8, 2009. A Hamas leader on Sunday played down reports that his group wanted to establish a new umbrella body to replace the Palestine Liberation Organisation as the sole representative of the Palestinians. Mahmoud al-Zahar told Al Jazeera television that remarks by Hamas's leader in exile, Khaled Meshaal, that some Palestinian groups were discussing the formation of a "national steering committee" as an alternative to the PLO had been misinterpreted. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin (SUDAN) 

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal speaks during a news conference in Khartoum, February 8, 2009. A Hamas leader on Sunday played down reports that his group wanted to establish a new umbrella body to replace the Palestine Liberation Organisation as the sole representative of the Palestinians. Mahmoud al-Zahar told Al Jazeera television that remarks by Hamas's leader in exile, Khaled Meshaal, that some Palestinian groups were discussing the formation of a "national steering committee" as an alternative to the PLO had been misinterpreted. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin (SUDAN) 

Senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar (2nd L) and Khalil al-Hayya (3rd R) leave the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on their way to Egypt November 3, 2008. Egypt has planned to invite Palestinian rival factions for reconciliation talks in Cairo on November 9.
REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar talks during a news conference with other Hamas leaders in Damascus October 18,2008. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar speaks during a news conference with other Hamas leaders in Damascus October 18,2008. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) 

Senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar (R) and Khalil al-Hayya attend a news conference in Damascus October 18,2008. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) 

Senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar (C), Saeed Seyam (R) and Khalil al-Hayya attends a news conference in Damascus October 18, 2008. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) 

Senior Hamas leaders Saeed Seyam (R) and Mahmoud al-Zahar are seen during a news conference in Damascus October 18,2008. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) 

Senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar (L), Saeed Seyam (C) and Khalil al-Hayya wait at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip before crossing into Egypt October 7, 2008. Hamas leaders will hold talks in Cairo on Wednesday on proposals to end the schism with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group by reshaping the way the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip is governed.
REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar (R) and Sayed Seyam wait before entering Egypt at the Rafah border crossing July 8, 2008. Hamas leaders plan to hold talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo on the future of a ceasefire with Israel that has been marred by violations since it began nearly three weeks ago.
REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar (2nd R) is greeted upon arrival at the Rafah border crossing before entering Egypt July 8, 2008. Hamas leaders plan to hold talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo on the future of a ceasefire with Israel that has been marred by violations since it began nearly three weeks ago. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar (R) and Sayed Seyam wait before entering Egypt at the Rafah border crossing July 8, 2008. Hamas leaders plan to hold talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo on the future of a ceasefire with Israel that has been marred by violations since it began nearly three weeks ago.
REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar attends a news conference in Gaza Strip June 17, 2008. Egypt said on Tuesday a ceasefire it has been trying to broker between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza will begin on Thursday morning. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar (L) and Khalil al-Hayya (R) attend a news conference in Gaza Strip June 17, 2008. Egypt said on Tuesday a ceasefire it has been trying to broker between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza will begin on Thursday morning. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar (C) and Khalil al-Hayya (R) walk through the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt May 19, 2008. Leaders from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Monday to hear Israel's response to a six-month truce offer between Palestinians in Gaza and the Jewish state.
REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) 

(L-R) Senior Hamas leaders Jamal Abu Hashem, Mahmoud al-Zahar and Khalil al-Hayya wait inside the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip May 19, 2008. Leaders from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Monday to hear Israel's response to a six-month truce offer between Palestinians in Gaza and the Jewish state. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar speaks to supporters during a Hamas celebration after Israeli troops pulled out of the Gaza Strip March 3, 2008. Israeli troops pulled out of the Gaza Strip on Monday after days of fighting that killed more than 100 people and drew an appeal from Washington to end violence and rescue peace talks with the Palestinians. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar waves to supporters during Hamas celebration after Israeli troops pulled out of the Gaza Strip March 3, 2008. Israeli troops pulled out of the Gaza Strip on Monday after days of fighting that killed more than 100 people and drew an appeal from Washington to end violence and rescue peace talks with the Palestinians. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar (C) shakes hands with an official after his arrival in Gaza through the Rafah crossing border with Egypt February 2, 2008. Hamas will close the Gaza Strip's breached border with Egypt, Zahar said on Saturday, following talks in Cairo. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) 

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar arrives in Gaza through the Rafah crossing border with Egypt February 2, 2008. Hamas will close the Gaza Strip's breached border with Egypt, Zahar said on Saturday, following talks in Cairo. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA)