Blasts in Doha; Israel says strike targeted Hamas

Israel launched an audacious attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday.

Qatar, which has acted as a mediator alongside Egypt in talks on a ceasefire in the almost two-year-old war in Gaza, condemned the action as "cowardly" and called it a flagrant violation of international law.

Several blasts were heard in Qatar's Doha.

Two Hamas sources told Reuters that Hamas officials in the ceasefire negotiating team survived the attack.

Israeli officials told Reuters the strike was aimed at top Hamas leaders including Khalil al-Hayya, its exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator.

Al Jazeera television, citing a Hamas source, said the attack was aimed at Hamas Gaza ceasefire negotiators.