The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Friday that they took part in an annual aerial exercise hosted by Greece, which recently concluded. This year's exercise also saw Qatar's participation.

Along with Greece, eleven other countries joined the exercise: the United States, France, India, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. Cyprus contributed with supporting personnel, while Slovakia and Bahrain attended as observers. The Israeli Air Force sent a Gulfstream G550 spy plane from the 122nd Squadron for the drill, the military confirmed on Friday, over a week after news broke of Israel's involvement. In past years, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had sent multiple fighter jet squadrons, refuelling aircraft, and surveillance planes for the exercise.

This year, the drill started on March 24 and finished on Friday. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) chose not to comment on it until it was over. In a statement, the IDF said that its participation in the exercise is “intended to strengthen strategic cooperation with foreign armies, improve the competence of the participating forces, and give the crews a professional challenge in flight conditions in an unknown environment and with varying threats.” The IDF did not name the other countries that joined the exercise. This is believed to be the first time Israel has taken part in joint military drills with Qatar, which sent several F-15 fighter jets to the event. The Hellenic Air Force said last month that the drills were designed to practice different scenarios such as avoiding attacks, carrying out strikes, and performing search and rescue missions.

Although Israel and Qatar do not have official diplomatic ties, they have a complex relationship. Qatar plays a key role as a mediator, hosts the Hamas group, and is heavily involved in efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. Israel has been involved in the Qatargate scandal, where two advisers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, are accused of accepting money to spread pro-Qatar messages to reporters. This was done to improve Qatar's image as a mediator in hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, all while working for the prime minister. In 2016, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) took part in an aerial exercise organised by the US, which also included Pakistan.