Israel Views Flydubai Incident as Terror Attack After Co-Pilot Allegedly Stabbed Pilot

Israeli authorities are now treating the incident aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv as a terror attack, following initial assessments and passenger testimonies. The co-pilot, identified as an Omani citizen, is suspected of repeatedly stabbing the main pilot during the flight, with investigators believing he intended to hijack the plane and crash it. A senior Israeli official stated that a "very grave disaster was averted."

The flight, carrying 174 passengers including 27 children, experienced a drastic and unusual altitude drop of approximately 14,000 feet within a single minute, according to Flightradar data. Passengers reported seeing significant amounts of blood and described the aircraft losing control for several minutes. One passenger told i24NEWS that the cockpit was "full of blood" and that "the Israeli guys took control of the situation and caught the stabber."

Initial reports suggested a possible fight between the pilots, but the current assessment points towards a deliberate act of terror. Crew members outside the cockpit reportedly heard the commotion, broke in, and managed to subdue the attacker. The flight activated a distress code indicating unlawful interference, prompting the scramble of fighter jets. Contact with the plane was lost temporarily, leading to emergency consultations involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The aircraft crossed into Jordanian airspace before changing course over Saudi Arabia, at one point disappearing from flight tracking apps. Contact was eventually re-established with Saudi authorities, and the plane landed in Saudi Arabia. Flydubai's CEO informed Israeli transport officials that a replacement aircraft would be sent to Saudi Arabia to bring the passengers to Israel. Israeli passengers are being interviewed in Saudi Arabia but are expected to return home without remaining for further investigation. Israeli forces are reportedly on the ground in Saudi Arabia assisting with the situation.