Israeli Passengers Refuse Rescue Flight Amid Sabotage Fears

A Flydubai rescue plane landed in Saudi Arabia to repatriate Israeli passengers stranded in the kingdom, with a planned arrival at Ben Gurion Airport between 6 PM and 7 PM. Despite boarding commencing, some passengers refused to board the flight, citing significant concerns. Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz had instructed the IDF to prepare military rescue aircraft, though it remains unclear if this directive will be enacted.

Security officials are increasingly assessing that the co-pilot intended to crash the plane, killing the Israeli passengers. Initial investigations suggest the Emirati pilot, aided by Israeli passengers, used an emergency axe, meant for breaking cockpit windows, to stab the co-pilot during the struggle to regain control. Investigators are questioning how the co-pilot could have brought an axe onto the plane, given strict security checks for flight crew. However, the investigation is also considering the possibility that the co-pilot, who allegedly planned the attack, was the one who stabbed the pilot attempting to stop him.