Several explosions were heard in Qatar’s capital on Tuesday, with smoke seen rising over the Katara district, witnesses said.
Israel’s military said it carried out a strike targeting Hamas’ senior leadership, without specifying the location. Al Jazeera cited the army announcement and, quoting a Hamas source, said a negotiating team was targeted in Doha. Reuters could not independently verify the claim.
An Israeli official also told the Associated Press that Israel had conducted an airstrike aimed at Hamas leaders in Doha. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Israeli media, citing a senior official, said the operation was aimed at top Hamas figures including Khalil al-Hayya, a senior leader based in exile. Reuters could not verify the report.
Qatar, which has hosted Hamas’ political leadership and mediates in Gaza ceasefire talks, condemned what it called a “cowardly” attack and a flagrant violation of international law, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari.
The incident comes less than three months after blasts were heard over Doha during an Iranian missile attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base; that June episode caused no injuries, Reuters reported. There was no indication Tuesday’s events were related.
