The first direct flight between Israel and Qatar landed in Doha on Sunday, with Israel describing it as a major milestone in the two countries’ ties.
According to flight tracker FlightRadar24, the flight from Tel Aviv to Doha touched down on Sunday afternoon in advance of the World Cup opening ceremony.
Though Israel and Qatar at present have no official diplomatic ties, the flight has been praised by Israel and the United States as an example of warming relations.
At least 10,000 Israelis are expected at the month-long tournament in Qatar, most of them coming from third countries. Those boarding the Cyprus-based TUS Airways plane at Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, had originally been told they would have a brief stopover in Cyprus.