Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said investigations suggest the man who stabbed a fellow pilot and attempted to seize control of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination.
Two hours into the journey, the aircraft lost 17,000 feet in less than two minutes, but the passenger and crew crew overpowered the attacker, allowing the plane to land safely at a Saudi airport.
Netanyahu told Fox News that the attacker—a 34‑year‑old Omani national—was “very likely” planning to bring the plane down and had repeatedly shouted “kill me, kill me” after being subdued.
While Emirati officials say investigations are underway to determine if the incident was linked to terrorism, the Israeli security service has said that the attacker was signalling suicidal intent.
The co‑pilot is currently being questioned in Saudi Arabia, where the plane made an emergency landing, and will likely be transferred to the UAE for further examination.
Both Israeli and Indian leaders have lauded the stabbed pilot, Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, calling him a hero. A visit by India’s ambassador to the UAE confirmed that the pilot is recovering well.
Preliminary findings from an Israeli investigation indicate the attacker intended to crash the plane. Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad interviewed passengers after their arrival in Tel Aviv to piece together the events.
Flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, and the Israel Transportation Ministry released an urgent request to increase flights from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv. The incident has heightened concerns about aviation security across the region.
