First ever flight from Israeli occupied lands arrives in Qatar for World Cup 2022
The first ever direct flight from Israeli-occupied lands has arrived in Qatar on Sunday as Israelis hail that as breakthrough for Doha-Tel Aviv relations.
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The flight from Tel Aviv to Doha has reportedly touched down on Sunday afternoon ahead of the World Cup opening ceremony.
Israeli regime and the United States have praised the flight as an instance of warming relations between the two states.
At least 10,000 Israelis are expected at the month-long tournament in Qatar, most of them coming through third countries.
Israeli foreign ministry official Lior Haiat, speaking from Ben Gurion airport, told AFP that "history has been made" with the "first direct flight from Tel Aviv to Doha".
When FIFA had announced the deal for direct Israel-Qatar flights on 10 November but it was not immediately clear to what extent Palestinian residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank or blockaded Gaza Strip would have access to the charter.
FIFA said the arrangement would be subject "to Israel's security requirements".