Several explosions were heard in Qatar’s capital city of Doha on Tuesday evening, reports said. Thick clouds of smoke was seen emanating from structures in footage going viral on social media. Soon after the blast, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) released a statement, without mentioning Qatar, and said that the precise strikes targeted senior Hamas leadership.

It said that along with the country’s intelligence agency Shin Bet, they will continue to operated in ways to end the Hamas terrorist organisation.

“The IDF and ISA conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization. For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organization’s operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel,” the statement said.

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“Prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence. The IDF and ISA will continue to operate with determination in order to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for the October 7 massacre,” the IDF added.

A report by Channel 12 said the strikes were executed after US President Donald Trump approved the same, according to Times of Israel. It said that longtime Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal — whom Israel tried to assassinate in Jordan in 1997 — was at the meeting targeted by Israel.

Reports also say that senior Hamas leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya has been killed in the attack.

Qatar ‘condemns’ attack, calls it ‘cowardly’

Reacting to the strikes, Qatar said it “strongly condemns” Israel’s actions on Hamas leaders in Doha. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said that the strike “targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas.”

Calling it a “criminal assault”, he said the action “constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.”

He said the country will “not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty.”

“Qatar is investigating at the highest level,” he said.

US Embassy in Doha has issued shelter in place order for its citizens. According to a report, Iran’s foreign ministry said that attack by Israel is “dangerous” and is in “violation of international law”.