Netanyahu, Katz Detail Dramatic Mid-Air Hijacking Attempt Aboard Flydubai Jet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that a Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Israel experienced a hijacking attempt during its journey, with most passengers being Israeli nationals. As the aircraft neared its destination, one pilot allegedly attacked the other, who then struggled to regain control of the cockpit. Netanyahu stated that several Israeli passengers intervened, managing to enter the cockpit and subdue the assailant, thereby preventing the situation from escalating further. He commended these passengers as "heroes" for their swift actions, crediting them with saving numerous lives and averting a major disaster.

The plane made a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all passengers unharmed. The two pilots remain under the care of Saudi authorities. Israel is coordinating with Saudi officials to ensure the safe return of the passengers. Security forces have been alerted to the possibility of additional individuals involved.

Minister of Defense Israel Katz described the incident as a serious event, characterizing it as an "attempt to carry out a jihadist terrorist attack." He asserted that the plot was foiled by the bravery of Israeli passengers who stormed the cockpit, neutralized the attacker, and handed control back to a flight crew member. Katz indicated that initial intelligence suggests the attacker's intent was to crash the plane and kill everyone on board.

Katz also used the incident to reinforce his and Netanyahu's warnings about security threats, urging both external adversaries and internal critics to take such intelligence-based alerts seriously. He emphasized that these warnings do not impede proactive offensive operations conducted with the IDF to counter threats.