UAE Not Approving Rescue Flights Amid Security Concerns

Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz expressed concern Thursday evening that the UAE has not yet approved rescue flights for Israelis stranded in Dubai, scheduled to depart Friday. Israeli security officials and their UAE counterparts are still working on finalizing safety procedures and approvals for these flights. Earlier on Thursday, Israeli security authorities had permitted Israeli airlines to operate flights to bring Israeli passengers back from Dubai starting Friday. Initially, passengers will not be allowed to check luggage due to a lack of security infrastructure.

Flydubai announced Thursday that it is suspending flights to and from Israel for the duration of the investigation into an attempted hijacking of one of its planes. Following the incident, Israel requested to send observers to monitor the investigations being conducted simultaneously in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Saudi Arabia is investigating because the hijacking attempt occurred over its territory, while the UAE is involved because the flight departed under its flag.

An Israeli source familiar with the matter told Kan News that Israel would not directly participate in the investigation but would receive the findings later. The Indian pilot who struggled with the hijacker has been transferred to a hospital in the UAE from Saudi Arabia and is reportedly in stable condition. The Omani pilot who attempted the hijacking is being questioned in Saudi Arabia after receiving medical treatment. Initial findings from his interrogation suggest he underwent religious radicalization and became more observant of Islamic practices. His interrogation is ongoing, and Israel expects cooperation from UAE authorities.

Security officials stated that so far, no connection to Iran has been found, though this possibility has not been entirely ruled out. Earlier, security sources indicated that there was no indication of state or terrorist organization involvement in the attempted hijacking, suggesting the pilot acted alone and was not mentally disturbed. Israel is concerned about copycat attacks and has increased security worldwide. According to diplomatic sources, the pilot chose the Flydubai flight to undermine the Abraham Accords.