UAE Official Calls FlyDubai Attack Terrorism for First Time

Anwar Gargash, an advisor to UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed, has publicly designated the incident aboard a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv as a "terrorist act" for the first time. Gargash praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who, despite being injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. Gargash stated the pilot showed "true courage" in confronting a "serious and potentially catastrophic terrorist act." He is the first UAE official to publicly classify the event as terrorism.

Following an initial investigation, Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry reported that the co-pilot attacked the captain, resulting in injuries to both. After receiving medical attention, they were handed over to UAE authorities and transported to Abu Dhabi with an Emirati security detail. The findings of the Saudi investigation have been transferred to the UAE, where a special investigative team has been formed to determine the co-pilot's motive, whether the attack was premeditated, if he acted alone, and if he had ties to terrorist or foreign organizations.

Preliminary assessments by Israeli security services suggest the attacker likely acted alone, with no evidence of Iranian involvement, according to Reuters. However, an unnamed UAE source told i24NEWS that materials from "Free Palestine" organizations and pro-Palestinian publications were found among the belongings of the co-pilot, an Omani citizen. This source also indicated the co-pilot had previously expressed support for Palestinians and hostility towards Israel, though UAE authorities have not officially confirmed these details.

Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog announced his intention to award presidential medals for civil heroism to Yaniv Hayun, Tsvika Manes, Assaf Rajuan, and Shota Musaev for their roles in saving the plane, neutralizing the attacker, and assisting the injured captain.