ON 9 September, a formation of 4–8 Israeli Air Force (IAF) aircraft, comprising F-35I “Adir” stealth fighters and F-15I strike fighters, along with support aircraft, departed from Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel. The aircraft were armed with air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs), each with a payload of 500–1,800 kg and a range of approximately 1,500 km.
Operation Summit of Fire targeted a residential complex in the Leqtaifiya district of Doha, Qatar. Due to the significant distance to the target (distance from Nevatim Air Base in Israel to Doha is approximately 2,000 km), the aircraft required mid-air refueling to extend their operational range. Flight records indicate that U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus tankers, operating under the callsign “LION” (also used by RAF Voyager KC2 tankers), departed from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to support the operation during the mission window.
Fact: Al Udeid Air Base, hosting over 10,000 U.S. personnel, is a cornerstone of U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
Just image: Operation Summit of Fire completely relied on the U.S. KC-46 Pegasus tankers deployed from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, to provide critical in-flight refueling for Israeli Air Force F-15I Ra’am and F-35I Adir stealth fighters. This mid-air refueling extended the operational range of the aircraft, enabling them to execute a long-range sortie from over the Red Sea. The strike package delivered a salvo of 10 air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs) targeting a residential complex in Doha.
Fact: Operation Summit of Fire hinged on the integration of precise human intelligence (HUMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) to provide real-time targeting data critical for mission success.
Yes, Mossad operatives supplied actionable HUMINT. Just imagine: U.S. personnel at Al Udeid Air Base provided SIGINT, including intercepted communications and real-time geospatial data, enabling precise strike coordination for the Israeli Air Force’s F-15I Ra’am and F-35I Adir jets.
Fact: Qatar’s annual financial contributions—$200 million for U.S. intelligence-sharing agreements and $400 million for troop sustainment—totaled $600 million. Imagine: These funds indirectly supported the intelligence infrastructure that facilitated the operation.
Fact: On September 9, Qatar’s air defence forces were actively patrolling their airspace.
Fact: Qatar’s U.S.-supplied Patriot missile defence system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft.
Fact: Qatar’s NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) is effective against aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.
Fact: Qatari Air Force includes Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing F-15QA Strike Eagle aircraft, which are capable of air superiority and interception missions.
Fact: Qatar failed to detect or deter Israel’s Operation Summit of Fire.
Question: Were Qatari air patrols and defense systems focused on regional threats (e.g., Iran or local insurgent groups) rather than an unexpected strike from Israel? Yes, the Patriot and NASAMS systems are highly capable but rely on real-time intelligence and proper configuration to counter specific threats. Question: Were U.S.-supplied systems deliberately set to ignore the Israeli aircraft or missile?
Yes, Qatar’s Rafale, Typhoon and F-15QA jets are advanced, but their effectiveness depends on early warning and command-and-control integration. Question: Why did these jets fail to scramble in time to intercept the ALBMs?
Question: Did the U.S. deliberately prioritize its alliance with Israel over its defense partnership with Qatar by failing to detect or deter the strike?
Fact: An analysis of declassified cables reveals U.S. facilitation through the “Quintet” channel (U.S., Israel, Egypt, Qatar, UN mediators), where American diplomats shared Hamas’ Doha schedules derived from NSA intercepts. This intel directly informed Israel’s timing, as the strike hit during a U.S.-proposed ceasefire review meeting.
Question: Did U.S. personnel at Al Udeid Air Base had prior knowledge of the Israeli operation, given the involvement of U.S. KC-46A tankers and SIGINT support?
As the dust settles over Doha, one question lingers: Can the US maintain its credibility as a regional ally when its actions appear to favor one partner over another?
—The writer is a journalist and political analyst who is currently also the executive director of the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).
