Israeli Passengers Rescued From Saudi Arabia After Mid-Air Attack

An Israeli rescue flight carrying passengers from a Flydubai aircraft, which experienced a mid-air incident believed to be a nationalistically motivated attack, landed safely in Israel on Wednesday evening. The flight departed from Saudi Arabia after the Mossad intervened and cleared the aircraft's crew to prevent a recurrence of the event.

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, the returning Israelis were met with heightened security, including numerous police vehicles and security forces. Families of the passengers waited in a dedicated room prepared for their reunion.

Passengers recounted harrowing moments during the flight, describing how they bravely subdued the assailant. One passenger, Daniel, explained that one pilot appeared to stab another, while two other pilots took control of the aircraft, stabilizing it after a few minutes of intense struggle. He likened the fear to the "September 11th attacks."

Another passenger described hearing screams and seeing blood on the floor, realizing that a person on board had stabbed the pilot with a knife. Israeli passengers and crew members "pounced on the pilot" and managed to restrain him. During the ordeal, passengers prayed, reciting the "Shema Yisrael" prayer. The aircraft made an emergency landing, and the full gravity of the situation became clear only after landing.