A UK refuelling plane tracked above Doha during Israel’s strike was in fact participating in an annual exercise, following rumours that it was helping Israel
A British Royal Air Force (RAF) plane spotted over Doha on Monday, around the time of Israel’s surprise strike on the Qatari capital, was participating in an annual joint military exercise and not involved in the attack, according to flight tracker data.
The RAF Voyager KC3 tanker was conducting air-to-air refuelling drills as part of “Soaring Falcon”, a regular UK-Qatar exercise, when Israeli fighter jets targeted a meeting of senior Hamas officials in Doha.
The Israeli strikes hit residential buildings near schools and embassies, killing six people, including the son of Hamas’s chief negotiator and a member of Qatar’s internal security force, and wounding several civilians.
The Palestinian group’s senior leaders, who have been based in Qatar since 2012, survived the attack.
The Voyager’s presence above Doha triggered online speculation that the RAF aircraft may have assisted Israel, with rumours circulating that it refuelled the fighter jets involved.
Related
Israeli strike on Qatar condemned by Trump, with no red line
Brooke Anderson
However, a UK defence source dismissed the claims, confirming that the Voyager lacks surveillance capabilities and uses a “probe-and-drogue” refuelling system incompatible with Israeli aircraft.
UK drones however, have previously assisted Israel with surveillance of the Gaza Strip amid its devastating war on the territory.
Public flight data show that the plane was airborne for over five hours, taking off shortly before 3 pm local time and landing at Al Udeid Air Base after 8 pm. Explosions were first reported in Doha around 3pm.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it received a warning from the US military moments before the strikes began. Spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said on X that the call came “during the sound of explosions caused by the Israeli attack in Doha”.
With the strike in Qatar, Israel has now carried out attacks in at least five countries and territories within 24 hours, including Tunisia, Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.
The New Arab has contacted the UK’s Ministry of Defence for comment.
