A mother of three revealed that her children were deeply frightened by an Israeli airstrike just moments before their scheduled departure back to the UK from their vacation. Dawn Paddock and her children were preparing to fly from Dubai to the UK after a delightful holiday. Their flight was set to stop in Doha, Qatar, for a three-hour layover. However, as they were about to board the flight last Tuesday, they were informed of Israeli airstrikes in Doha. This news left Dawn Paddock and her children in a state of terror.
In response to the situation, they opted for an alternative flight route to avoid flying over Qatari airspace. Unfortunately, this decision required Dawn to borrow over £2,000 from her children to cover the cost, as they had already spent £4,000 on their vacation. Dawn, a registered nurse, expressed her distress, stating, “Just 20 minutes before reaching Dubai airport, we received a text alerting us to the Israeli airstrikes in Doha.”
Despite the lack of detailed information, they were urged to proceed with their journey to Doha. Dawn expressed her frustration at the lack of clarity regarding their safety in light of the recent attacks. The holiday company insisted they stick to their original travel plans, emphasizing that the flights were not canceled.
Feeling uneasy about the situation, Dawn contacted the British Embassy for guidance but was informed that the status was still under review. Uncertain about the risk involved, she found the lack of reassurance concerning. Ultimately, Dawn and her children decided not to board the flight to Doha due to the unsettling circumstances.
The children, visibly shaken after witnessing news reports of the airstrikes, pleaded not to travel to Doha. Consequently, they pooled their savings to secure direct flights home, with Dawn promising to repay them later. The new flights, costing nearly as much as their vacation, provided a sense of safety and relief for the family.
Reflecting on the experience, Dawn expressed no regrets about changing their travel plans. The absence of clear information and reassurance during the ordeal was distressing, compounded by conflicting messages from various sources. Despite the disappointment of missing their layover in Doha, the family was grateful for prioritizing their safety.
Israel conducted airstrikes in the Leqtaifiya district of Doha, targeting Hamas leadership, resulting in casualties among Hamas members, Qatari security forces, and civilians. This marked Israel’s first known attack in Qatar. Qatar Airways has been contacted for comment.
