Israeli Prime Minister to Greet Citizens After Foiled Hijacking Attempt

An El Al flight carrying Israeli passengers, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an attempted hijacking, is now en route to Israel. The incident occurred on a Fly Dubai flight from Dubai to Israel when, according to initial security assessments, one pilot allegedly stabbed another and attempted to seize control of the aircraft. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the event is being investigated as a "jihadist terror attempt," stating that "the grave incident on the Fly Dubai plane was a jihadist terror attempt, which was thwarted only thanks to the bravery of several Israeli passengers who broke into the cockpit, overpowered the terrorist, and with their own hands returned control of the plane to another flight crew present there."

Katz further elaborated that initial intelligence suggests the pilot intended to crash the plane with all its passengers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported speaking with one of the Israeli passengers, who described the plane entering a spin and beginning to dive. According to Netanyahu, the passenger recounted how he, along with a crew member, managed to breach the cockpit and neutralize the stabbing pilot while he was attempting to damage the aircraft's systems.

The flight was forced to land in Saudi Arabia, where the passengers waited for hours for a resolution. In parallel, Mossad Director Roman Gofman has ordered a thorough investigation into the co-pilot, his background, and the possibility of an organized infrastructure or directive behind the act. Security agencies are also examining similar threats from other countries and the risk of aviation terrorism.