On September 30, a FlyDubai aircraft traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv issued an emergency alert before transmitting hijacking codes. Preliminary reports indicate that the co-pilot stabbed the commander with a knife and attempted to crash the plane.
The victim was identified as an Indian citizen. A passenger named Shota Musaev reported that the pilot sustained deep abdominal wounds and nearly lost an arm. An eyewitness described the attacker inflicting severe injuries to the commander’s neck and back of the head.
Passengers helped subdue the attacking co-pilot, leading to an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. A rescue flight subsequently transported all passengers to Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on October 2 that authorities are investigating whether anyone controlled the actions of the pilot who attempted to crash the aircraft. He stated the attacker had been subjected to Islamist radicalization and would face severe consequences for his actions.
