Israel is investigating an alleged hijacking of a FlyDubai flight traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested may have been an attempted terrorist attack. Reports indicate that one pilot stabbed another and attempted to crash the plane on Wednesday, September 30. Israeli security services are examining whether the incident was aimed at crashing the aircraft into a city in Israel. A source told the Telegraph that this situation resembles a '9/11 scenario' where a co-pilot kills the pilot to crash the plane with passengers onboard, most of whom are Israelis.
The incident has not been independently verified, and Netanyahu did not officially label it as a terrorist attack, referring to it instead as an apparent plot to crash the plane. As the flight issued an emergency alert and descended rapidly, Israeli fighter jets were scrambled in response to the potential hijacking. Passengers and crew managed to subdue the attacker before the FlyDubai plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
The distress call from the flight was made at 8:44 AM local time, and it landed safely at 9:45 AM. FlyDubai confirmed that an altercation occurred in the flight deck, and the crew successfully secured the aircraft. Video footage from the incident showed two men on the floor of the plane, bloodied, as others provided medical assistance and guarded the cockpit. Netanyahu commended those who intervened, stating they saved many lives and prevented a major disaster. Saudi Arabia has arrested a pilot involved, but further details have not been disclosed. The plane’s captain and first officer sustained injuries during the incident.
Netanyahu has recently warned of heightened security threats as Israel approaches the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and prepares for upcoming elections. A spokesperson for Netanyahu's office noted that around 160 passengers on the flight were from Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz characterized the event as an attempted jihadist attack.