The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak beyond the public statement.
Qatar has condemned what it referred to as a "cowardly Israeli attack" on Hamas' political headquarters in its capital, Doha. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari called it a "flagrant violation of all international laws and norms."
The announcement came as an explosion could be heard in Doha, Qatar's capital.
The Qatari-funded news network Al Jazeera linked the blast to the Israeli announcement. The blast echoed in Doha, sending black smoke into the air. It wasn't immediately clear if anyone was injured in the attack.
Hamas' exiled leadership has long been based in Qatar, which has served as a mediator in talks between Hamas and Israel for several years, even before the latest war in the Gaza Strip.
A strike on its top leadership could further complicate negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages taken in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack.