Israeli Heroes Recount Foiling Flydubai Hijacking Attempt

Two of the four Israelis who prevented a hijacking attempt on a Flydubai flight spoke to the media on Thursday, October 1, detailing the incident and their actions. Dr. Shota Musaev, a 47-year-old dentist from Rishon LeZion, stated he acted as his parents, both physicians, had taught him. "I knew what to do when there was a wounded person next to me," Musaev said, adding that seeing three other "heroes" rush to the cockpit compelled him to join them. "In those seconds, none of us thought about our own lives. The main thing was to save the plane." He managed to stop the severe bleeding of the injured pilot, stabilizing his condition before landing. Musaev noted the "many coincidences" that played a role, including a girl who heard the commotion and the presence of a spare crew. He considers his fellow heroes Yaniv Hayon, Tzvi Maneas, and Assaf Rajuan as family, with whom he helped subdue the terrorist pilot. The group has formed a WhatsApp chat, with Musaev describing the event as a "rebirth" and a "historical event" that even led them to Saudi Arabia.

Musaev described the reception in Saudi Arabia after the emergency landing as "excellent" and "very warm," with officials and doctors attending to the passengers, some of whom were stressed children. Musaev, born in Georgia, also mentioned his father-in-law is the singer Yuza Mosiashvili. He emphasized that while he subdued the terrorist pilot and aided the first pilot, the other three heroes neutralized the attacker in the cockpit, and others cared for the children.

Yaniv Hayon, 38, from Nes Ziona, addressed comments made by President Trump, who called him an "Israeli plumber" who "never flew a plane." Hayon responded, "I am an advanced plumber. Trump was not mistaken; I don't work at NASA and I'm not dealing with space problems, but smelly pipes. But he is right. His words did not offend me." Hayon explained that after neutralizing the co-pilot, he pulled the controls back to level the aircraft, having learned basic piloting from the documentary series "Mayday." He found Trump's humor amusing but clarified he is "not Bruce Lee." Hayon expressed a desire to return to normal life and his work, thanking everyone involved in the rescue.

President Isaac Herzog announced he is recommending the four heroes, Yaniv Hayon, Dr. Shota Musaev, Tzvi Maneas, and Assaf Rajuan, for the Presidential Medal for Civilian Courage. The President's office stated the Israelis "acted quickly and decisively." The medal, established by Herzog during wartime, recognizes exceptional bravery and risk to life for the sake of others. The article also mentions the courage of the aircraft commander, Indian national Samit Machhar, who fought the attacker and helped unlock the cockpit door. The medal is Israel's highest civilian honor.