Summary:
- CNN Sources Say Co-Pilot Tried To Hijack Plane
- Omani Co-Pilot Stabbed Pilot
- Midair Horror: FlyDubai Pilot Reportedly Stabbed, Israeli News Says Incident Treated As “Full-Fledged Terror Attack”
According to two Israeli sources cited by CNN, the Omani co-pilot on the Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv attempted to hijack the plane and stabbed the pilot during the incident. It is not yet clear whether the intention was to crash the plane or to land it and take hostages.
Both the pilot and co-pilot sustained injuries, and the flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Questions are being raised about why a pilot from a country without diplomatic relations with Israel was part of the flight crew.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the pilot tried to crash the plane.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 shows that the Flydubai flight diverted over Jordanian airspace toward Saudi Arabia and descended rapidly before landing safely in Tabuk.
Israel is treating the incident as a full-fledged terrorist attack, with reports indicating that the co-pilot repeatedly stabbed the captain. Passengers and crew members managed to subdue the attacker.
Flydubai confirmed the midair incident but did not provide details on the nature of the incident. All passengers were reported safe after the emergency landing.
Passengers on board reported hearing shouting and witnessing an altercation near the cockpit before the plane landed in Saudi Arabia.
The incident occurred just one week before the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks, adding to the tension and concern surrounding the situation.