Heavy smoke rose from the organization's headquarters in the Qatar district on Tuesday afternoon, after what the Israeli military says was an air strike.
"For years, these members of Hamas' leadership have led the terrorist organization's operations, been directly responsible for the brutal massacre on October 7 and have orchestrated and conducted the war against the state of Israel", writes the Israeli army in a post on Telegram.
Terror-listed Hamas says that the negotiating delegation survived but that five people of lower rank were killed, including the son of chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.
During negotiations
A source tells Israeli Keshet 12 that the attack occurred when the Hamas delegation gathered to discuss US President Donald Trump's proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, it is stated that the operation was a "completely Israeli operation”.
US President Donald Trump writes on Truth Social that it was ”Netanyahu's decision". He describes Qatar as a close ally to the US "who works very hard and bravely takes risks with us to negotiate peace".
According to Trump, he "immediately" saw to it that Qatar was informed, but that it "unfortunately was too late". According to Qatar, they were informed for the first time when the attack began.
Trump says he has spoken to both Qatar and Israel after the attack in Doha.
It was a response to the bus attack in Jerusalem on Monday, where at least six people were killed, according to Netanyahu. Initially, Hamas praised the attack before taking responsibility on Tuesday.
The day when terrorists are immune, no matter where they are, is over, says Netanyahu in a brief speech.
Condemned
A person from the Qatari security force is said to have been killed in the attack, according to the country's Ministry of Interior.
Qatar condemns what the country calls a "cowardly Israeli attack" and an "obvious crime" against international laws and norms.
Nothing will stop us from continuing this mediation in the region, says Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin al-Thani about the negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza, which Qatar has hosted.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls the attack a "clear violation" of Qatar's sovereignty. According to Guterres, the country has "played a very positive role in achieving a ceasefire and the release of all hostages”.
