Heavy smoke is rising from Hamas's headquarters in Doha and explosions have been heard by several witnesses, Reuters reports. The target was the leader of Hamas's negotiating delegation, Khalil al-Hayya. Israel is now trying to gather information about whether he has been killed, the Jerusalem Post reports.

"For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organization's operations, were directly responsible for the brutal massacre of October 7, and have orchestrated and carried out the war against the State of Israel," the IDF writes on X.

Hamas told Reuters that five Hamas members were killed in the attack, including Khalil al-Hayya's son, but told Al Jazeera that the leadership had survived.

Qatar: “Criminal attacks”

Hamas leaders are said to have been in Doha to discuss a ceasefire proposal from the US, Al Jazeera reports.

The authorities in Qatar condemns the attack.

"This criminal attack constitutes a clear violation of all international laws and norms and poses a serious threat to the security of the people of Qatar," Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, wrote on X.

Trump gave the green light

The United States was informed prior to the attack and President Donald Trump reportedly gave the green light, according to information provided to Israeli Channel 12. At a press conference, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that it is unfortunate that the attack occurred in Doha.

– An attack on Qatar, an independent country and close ally of the United States that works hard and takes risks to broker peace, does not advance our interests, she says and continues:

– But eliminating Hamas, which has profited from the suffering of the people of Gaza, is a worthy goal.

Trump reportedly spoke with the emir of Qatar after the attack and assured him that “something like that will not happen on their soil again,” according to Leavitt.

Expert: Crossed a red line

Middle East expert Anders Persson sees the incident as a clear escalation.

– It is also a red line, a previous red line, that has now been crossed, he tells TT.

By all accounts, al-Hayya is likely on an Israeli death list and Israel has a"long memory," says Persson.

At the same time, he adds that the Israelis may now break some type of agreement they had with the US and Qatar.