Netanyahu Orders Security Readiness After Dubai Flight Attack

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed an incident on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel, which carried mostly Israeli passengers. He stated that one pilot allegedly stabbed another and "apparently tried to crash the plane with its occupants." Netanyahu recounted speaking with an Israeli passenger who described the aircraft entering a spin and beginning to dive. According to the Prime Minister, this passenger, along with a crew member, managed to break into the cockpit and subdue the assailant pilot while he was attempting to sabotage the plane's systems. Additional flight crew then entered the cockpit and stabilized the aircraft.

"I salute these heroes who showed exceptional resourcefulness and courage," Netanyahu said. "They saved many lives, they prevented a heavy disaster." The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu confirmed all passengers were out of danger and the suspect pilot is being questioned by Saudi authorities. Israel is maintaining continuous contact with relevant authorities to ensure passenger safety and their return to Israel.

"I have instructed the security systems to prepare for additional potential threats," Netanyahu added, noting ongoing situation assessments. Defense Minister Israel Katz described the event as a "jihadist terror attempt" based on initial intelligence. He credited the Israeli passengers who stormed the cockpit, neutralized the "terrorist," and restored control to the remaining pilots. Katz reiterated that the attacker's intent was reportedly to "crash the plane with all its passengers." He also linked the incident to recent security warnings issued by himself and Netanyahu, urging everyone, "both our external enemies and the uninformed former officials internally," to listen and take them seriously.