UPDATE - Pope Leo XIV says situation 'very serious' after Israeli strike on Doha

ADDS REMARKS BY POPE

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - Pope Leo XIV expressed concern Tuesday after an Israeli strike targeted Hamas leadership in Doha, calling the situation "very serious."

"We don't know where things are going, we must pray," the pope told journalists as he left Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, according to the ANSA news agency.

Explosions rocked Doha on Tuesday, with plumes of smoke rising into the sky.

An Israeli military spokesman said the army conducted a “precise strike” targeting the senior Hamas leadership, without specifying the location.

Suhail al-Hindi, a member of Hamas' political bureau, told Al Jazeera television that the leadership survived a “cowardly assassination attempt” in Doha.

He said that Hammam al-Hayya, the son of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, and his office director, Jihad Lubad, were killed in the attack.

Leo said he has been unable to contact the Catholic community in the Gaza Strip, following an evacuation order issued by the Israeli army.

"I sought out the parish priest. I have no news," he said. "They were fine; after this new order, I'm not sure."

Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza entered its 700th day on Friday, with Israeli forces having killed more than 64,500 Palestinians. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.