Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker on a Flydubai plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination and was likely bent on crashing the aircraft.
The flight, carrying more than 170 people, dropped 17,000 ft (5,200 m) two hours into its journey when the assailant seized the cockpit. Passengers and crew managed to restrain him, hold the pilot and finally bring the aircraft to a safe landing at Tabuk Airport in north‑west Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu told Fox News that the attacker, identified as an Omani national, called for crew members to “kill me” after being subdued, indicating a suicidal motive. Israeli security sources say investigations led by Mossad are underway to confirm whether the assault was an act of terror or a personal attack.
The United Arab Emirates has opened its own inquiry into whether the incident was linked to terrorist activity, while Saudi officials are questioning the co‑pilot following the emergency landing. Both governments say jurisdiction over the investigation lies with the UAE, where the aircraft is registered.
The incident prompted the suspension of Flydubai’s Dubai‑Tel Aviv route. Israeli transport authorities, following Netanyahu’s directive, have requested increased flights from Etihad and are arranging rescue flights from Dubai to bring stranded passengers home.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government praised the stabbed pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, as a hero. The Indian ambassador to the UAE visited Machchhar in hospital, confirming he was in good health and recovering well.
Preliminary findings suggest the attacker intended to crash the plane, according to an Israeli security source. This has heightened concerns about potential links to extremist networks and underscored the need for tighter aviation security protocols in the region.
