Israel Recognizes Flydubai Incident as Terror Attack, Passengers as Victims

Israel's Ministry of Defense has officially recognized an attempted attack on a Flydubai flight bound for Israel as an act of hostility. The decision, announced on Monday, means passengers aboard the flight will be treated as victims of hostile acts.

The recognition came after official confirmation from authorized Israeli investigative bodies. The ministry's approving authority made the determination, and the decision has been forwarded to the National Insurance Institute, which is now in contact with the affected passengers.

The incident occurred about a month and a half ago when a flight carrying over 170 Israelis from Dubai to Tel Aviv transmitted an aviation code indicating a potential hijacking. Consequently, the flight diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia.

During the flight, the co-pilot attacked and stabbed the captain, causing the aircraft to lose control and plummet sharply for several tens of seconds. Israeli passengers intervened, entering the cockpit, subduing the assailant, and helping to regain control of the plane. An emergency landing was then made in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where local authorities apprehended the suspect. Reports later emerged of a second co-pilot's arrest.

Following the event, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that according to Israeli intelligence, the co-pilot attempted to crash the plane with its passengers. Defense Minister Israel Katz described the incident as a thwarted jihadist terror attempt, attributing its foiling to the passengers' resourcefulness.