Saudi Arabia Transfers Attacker Pilot to UAE, Investigation Cooperation Underway

Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday that the attacker pilot, an Omani citizen, has been transferred to the United Arab Emirates. Investigation teams from both countries are cooperating on the matter. Israeli officials view the transfer to the UAE as a positive step that will advance the investigation and allow for more significant cooperation with investigators. Netanyahu claimed the attacker pilot exploited a loophole in Israeli security policy, specifically regarding the employment of pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel. "There are restrictions that prevent us from employing pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel," he said. "Clearly, he managed to bypass this prohibition, meaning there is a loophole. We are addressing it." He also recounted that after passengers and crew subdued the attacker, he told them, "Kill me." Netanyahu described the pilot as "suicidal, without a doubt."

Meanwhile, the Indian news outlet The Indian Express reported, citing a source, that the injured Indian captain, Smith Macher, was flown to Dubai for medical treatment. U.S. President Donald Trump, when asked about potential Iranian involvement, responded, "I would estimate so, based on what I've been told, but we are currently investigating." The co-pilot, an Omani citizen, has been transferred to the UAE, with Saudi and UAE investigation teams collaborating. Israel requires foreign airlines not to assign crew members from countries without diplomatic ties to flights to Israel, but enforcement of this requirement rests with the airlines, not Israeli security forces. Netanyahu had previously stated in an interview that Israel possessed intelligence about Iran's intent and its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, to carry out attacks against Israelis abroad ahead of elections, clarifying to CNN that there was no specific warning for this incident. He also mentioned that the co-pilot was being interrogated in Saudi Arabia and was expected to be transferred to the UAE soon, with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed agreeing to Israel's participation in the investigation. Trump called the co-pilot "a terrorist or a madman" after speaking with Netanyahu. A senior American source and a Saudi source briefed on the investigation told NBC that initial findings indicated a terrorist act. The UAE's official news agency reported that the country's attorney general ordered an investigation into the incident, including potential links to "terrorist activity." Israeli assessments suggest that the Mossad and Shin Bet will receive updates and may request investigators to focus on specific aspects, though full Israeli participation in the investigations is not expected. The incident began over Saudi airspace about an hour before the plane's scheduled landing in Israel. Flight data indicated the aircraft rapidly descended from 34,000 feet to 16,000 feet in under two minutes, then transmitted a general distress code, followed by a hijacking code. The plane turned towards Jordan, crossed into its airspace, then changed direction back to Saudi Arabia, eventually landing at a low altitude near the airport in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.