Saudi Arabia Facilitates Rescue of Israelis After Hijacking Attempt
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Saudi Arabia aided Israeli passengers after a hijacking attempt on a Flydubai flight.
- Riyadh refused a direct Israeli military rescue to avoid public normalization.
- Mossad maintained communication with Saudi officials throughout the event.
- The incident is seen as strengthening Israeli-Saudi security cooperation.
- Saudi Arabia recently sought Israeli intelligence aid against Houthis.
An attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight carrying Israeli passengers did not significantly impact relations between Jerusalem and Riyadh, as the plane's intended destination was not Saudi Arabia and the hijacker reportedly sought to take control over Jordan. Throughout the incident, Israel's Mossad intelligence agency maintained continuous communication with Saudi officials.
Saudi authorities played a crucial role in escorting the aircraft and facilitating its landing at their airport, providing the Israeli passengers with food and medical care. Passengers described their treatment as excellent. However, Saudi Arabia firmly refused to allow Israeli Air Force Hercules aircraft to land for a rescue operation, viewing it as a premature step towards normalization.
Behind the scenes, the Mossad nearly convinced Saudi officials to permit a discreet landing of an unmarked Israeli aircraft in Tabuk. This plan became unnecessary when all passengers agreed to board a Flydubai rescue flight. A senior Israeli official noted that a visible Israeli military plane would have been too much for Saudi Arabia, indicating public opinion in the Kingdom is not yet ready for overt ties with Israel.
The official suggested that Saudi Arabia currently benefits from a security connection with Israel without public cost, while Israel should strategically leverage this security cooperation for diplomatic gains. Since October 7, Saudi Arabia has allowed Flydubai flights to transit over its territory to and from Israel and the Gulf.
This incident, according to a senior Israeli official, actually strengthened relations by allowing the plane with 180 Israelis to land and by the positive treatment of the passengers. Future relations are seen as dependent on the ongoing conflict with Iran. Saudi Arabia recently requested intelligence assistance from Israel, via U.S. Central Command, in its conflict against the Houthis, with Israel reportedly complying despite recent regional alliance shifts.
Read the original at YnetMentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
