Flydubai Passengers Return to Israel After Hijacking Attempt

A Flydubai flight carrying Israeli passengers, who were stranded in Saudi Arabia for nearly eight hours, landed safely in Israel on Wednesday evening. The flight, FZ1073 from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport, diverted to Taybah, Saudi Arabia, after its co-pilot allegedly attempted to hijack the plane and crash it. The pilot, an Emirati citizen, is credited with preventing the hijacking, reportedly by overpowering the co-pilot, an Omani citizen. During the struggle, the aircraft plummeted 14,000 feet in one minute. Passengers recounted harrowing moments, with one describing a knife-wielding assailant trying to take control of the cockpit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met some of the passengers upon their arrival, commending one individual, Yaniv Hayoun, for his role in neutralizing the hijacker. Hayoun described entering the cockpit and subduing the assailant. Following the diversion, Saudi Arabia reportedly denied an Israeli request to use its aircraft to collect the passengers. Flydubai then dispatched a replacement plane, though some passengers were initially hesitant to board due to fear. Israeli security agencies, including the Shin Bet, Mossad, and the IDF, have launched a joint investigation into the incident, examining potential prior indicators and the crew composition. Security officials expressed concern about copycat attacks, though evidence of state or organizational involvement in the co-pilot's actions has not yet emerged.