Israeli Passengers Return Home After Hijacking Attempt on Dubai Flight

Some 174 passengers, including 27 children, who were aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that experienced a hijacking attempt, have returned to Israel. The flight, FZ 1073, landed in Israel late Wednesday, approximately half a day after the incident. Their return was facilitated by a rescue flight after Saudi authorities refused to allow an Israeli aircraft to land in their territory. The rescue flight was cleared only after Israel's Mossad intelligence agency verified the identities of all the Emirati crew members. Some Israeli passengers were initially hesitant to board another flight from the same airline but were persuaded when informed there was no alternative.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to greet the passengers upon their arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Security officials have expressed concerns about "inspiration attacks" similar to this incident. The co-pilot, whose origins are from Oman, is reportedly being questioned by Saudi authorities. However, no conclusive evidence has emerged yet linking the incident to any organization or state, suggesting it was the act of a lone individual rather than someone with a severe mental disorder.

The incident began around 8:21 AM when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the plane. Defense Minister Israel Katz described the event as a "jihadist attempted attack, thwarted thanks to the bravery of several Israeli passengers who broke into the cockpit, subdued the terrorist, and with their own hands returned control of the aircraft to another flight crew present onboard."

One passenger shared a dramatic account from onboard, describing how several individuals "jumped and took him out of the cockpit" after the attacker wielding a knife stabbed a pilot. The passenger confirmed the attacker was neutralized and that while one pilot was seriously injured, another pilot managed to land the plane. Two crew members were secured inside the aircraft, and the cockpit door was sealed.