Israel Scrambled Jets, Prepared to Down FlyDubai Jet in Terror Scenario

Israel's air force scrambled fighter jets and prepared to shoot down a FlyDubai passenger plane on September 30 if it had been hijacked and continued towards Israeli airspace, according to CBS News, citing two sources familiar with the matter. The flight, FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was carrying over 150 Israelis, including 27 children.

The incident occurred after the plane's co-pilot, identified as Omani, attacked the captain, causing the aircraft to rapidly descend by approximately 4.3 kilometers. Communication with the cockpit from Israel was lost. In response, Israel activated a long-standing protocol for potential aircraft hijackings, similar to the 9/11 attacks. An emergency committee was convened, a command center established, Israeli airspace closed, and fighter jets were deployed.

According to CBS News, Israeli fighter jets were prepared to enter Jordanian airspace to intercept the plane if it had continued its approach. The plan was for the jets to get close enough to establish visual contact, determine who was in control, and assess the situation inside the cabin and among passengers. If the plane was confirmed hijacked with no demands made, the decision to destroy it would have rested with the defense minister and prime minister, with the latter holding ultimate authority. Sources indicated that destroying the plane would have been considered a lesser evil than allowing it to crash into a populated area or a strategic site like Ben Gurion Airport or the Azrieli Center in Tel Aviv.

However, the situation de-escalated. The plane turned towards Saudi Arabia approximately 644 kilometers from Israel. Saudi Arabia also scrambled fighter jets, prompting the Israeli aircraft to return. Onboard, the captain, who had sustained stab wounds, managed to overpower the co-pilot and open the cockpit door. Several Israeli passengers and FlyDubai staff subdued the attacker, and two pilots among the passengers helped stabilize the aircraft. The plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Israeli investigators are treating the incident as a probable lone-wolf terrorist attack. A source told CBS News that the co-pilot confessed during interrogation in the UAE to planning the attack before joining FlyDubai, with the intention of crashing the plane into Ben Gurion Airport. Israeli Defense Minister Исраэль Кац described the event as a "jihadist terrorist attempt," though investigations into potential accomplices are ongoing.

Israeli portal "Ynet" added that the air force had quickly deployed two fighter jets to address various scenarios, including the plane crashing in Israel, Jordan, or Saudi Arabia, a potential hijacking, or a 9/11-style attack.