Hamas has claimed its leadership survived Israel’s airstrike on the Qatari capital, but said six people have died.
The strike on Tuesday marked an escalation of Israel’s military actions across the Middle East to include the Gulf Arab state where the Palestinian Islamist group has long had its political base.
Israeli officials told Reuters the strikes were aimed at top Hamas leaders including Khalil al-Hayya, its exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator.
Hamas said six of its members had been killed in the attack, including the son of al-Hayya, but said Israel had failed in an attempt to assassinate the group's ceasefire negotiation team.
The White House described the strike as a unilateral attack that does not advance American and Israeli interests. Qatar is a major non-NATO ally of Washington.
US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “This morning, the Trump Administration was notified by the United States Military that Israel was attacking Hamas which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha, the Capital of Qatar."
He reiterated that the decision to strike Hamas leaders in Doha was "made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me".
"We hold the US administration jointly responsible with the occupation for this crime, due to its ongoing support for the aggression and crimes of the occupation against our people," Hamas’ said.
Several blasts were heard in the Qatari capital on Tuesday amid the strike.
Plumes of black smoke were billowing from the city's Legtifya petrol station. Right next door to the petrol station is a small residential compound that has been guarded by Qatar’s emiri guard 24 hours a day since the beginning of the Gaza conflict.
Qatar, which has been mediating between Hamas and Israel on a potential ceasefire in the almost two-year-old war in Gaza, condemned the "cowardly" Israeli attack on Hamas officials and called it a flagrant violation of international law.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the condemned the attack as a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.”
He said Qatar has been playing a very positive role to try and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
“All parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it," he said.
Keir Starmer also condemned the strike, warning of a further escalation of violence in the Middle East.
It comes a day before the Prime Minister is expected to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog in the UK.
Sir Keir posted on X: "I condemn Israel's strikes on Doha, which violate Qatar's sovereignty and risk further escalation across the region.
"The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a huge surge in aid into Gaza.
"This is the only solution towards long-lasting peace."
Middle East experts say the strike is likely to deal a serious, if not fatal blow to efforts to reach an end to the war in Gaza.
Regional power Saudi Arabia denounced what it called a "brutal Israeli aggression" against Qatar's sovereignty. Egypt said the attack set a dangerous precedent.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was "entirely justified" and was ordered after Monday's Jerusalem attack and the loss of four Israeli soldiers in Gaza.
Speaking later in a televised address, he said: "The days are over when terror leaders can enjoy immunity of any kind ... I won't allow that kind of immunity to exist."
Ambulances and at least 15 police and unmarked government cars thronged the streets around the blast site an hour after the strike.
Israel has killed several top Hamas leaders since the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel has also launched airstrikes and other military action in Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen in the course of the Gaza conflict.
In Lebanon, it attacked the heavily armed Iran-backed group Hezbollah and in Yemen it launched air strikes on the Iran-aligned Houthi group. Both groups have launched strikes on Israel during the Gaza conflict.
