Six people have been reported killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Qatari capital Doha, with five of the dead linked to Hamas, the armed political group that controls the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

Hamas said in a statement after the attack. The other person killed was a member of Qatar's internal security forces. A statement from Qatar's interior ministry said six people and several others were wounded in the attack.

However, the Interior Ministry's statement did not mention Hamas by name, although it gave the total number of deaths.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes on a residential area in Qatar on Tuesday afternoon, September 9, local time. Hamas condemned the attack in a statement, saying that the Israeli army targeted a building in a residential area in Qatar where the group's leaders were meeting to discuss a draft ceasefire plan sent by US President Donald Trump.

Israeli air forces conducted a raid on the Katara area north of Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Tuesday afternoon local time. Witnesses said they heard eight explosions.

Israeli media outlets, citing the IDF, reported late Tuesday that the strike was carried out to assassinate Hamas' top leader and spokesman, Khalil al-Haya, and Hamas' West Bank leader, Zaher Jabarin. A specific residential building in Qatar was targeted. Fifteen Israeli Air Force fighter jets took part in the strike, which lasted just 10 minutes.

In a statement, Hamas called the attack a "heinous crime," a "brazen aggression" and a "blatant violation of international law." "We confirm that the enemies have failed to assassinate our brothers in the top leadership of our party and members of our negotiating team," it said.

"This attack was carried out while our negotiators were discussing the recent ceasefire proposal sent by US President Donald Trump. This incident proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Netanyahu and his government not only do not want to come to a peace agreement, but are also determined to block any peace-building initiatives."

On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, "This attack targeting those who planned to attack Israel on October 7th is completely justified."

Qatar has condemned the attack as cowardly.