Jerusalem.- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described this Wednesday as a “jihadist terrorist attack attempt” the incident recorded aboard a Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which ended up making an emergency landing in the Saudi city of Tabuk.
The minister’s statement came after Israeli authorities indicated that one of the pilots had allegedly stabbed the other during flight FZ1073, causing an emergency situation that forced the aircraft to be diverted. The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia and all passengers were reported safe.
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“The serious incident aboard the FlyDubai flight was an attempted jihadist terrorist attack,” stated Minister Katz in a statement released by his office. According to his version, the situation was brought under control thanks to the intervention of several Israeli passengers who entered the cockpit and helped subdue the alleged attacker.
The minister further maintained that the passengers acted while the confrontation was unfolding inside the cockpit and that their intervention allowed for the recovery of control of the aircraft. These statements are part of the security assessment conducted by Israeli authorities, as investigations continue into the circumstances and the possible motive for the incident.
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According to information released by Reuters, Israeli officials believe that the co-pilot may have stabbed the captain and that crew members and passengers intervened to control the situation. Both pilots were taken to a hospital after landing in Tabuk.
The flight, operated with a Boeing 737, issued emergency signals during the journey. Tracking data also showed a sharp descent of the aircraft before it changed course towards Saudi Arabia. The aircraft subsequently landed without incident at Tabuk airport.
Minister speaks about passengers
The minister also highlighted the role of the Israeli passengers who, according to the first reports released, helped to restrain the man identified as responsible for the assault. Testimonies published by Israeli media described moments of tension inside the aircraft, with shouting and the presence of blood in the cabin area. Some of those images and testimonies have not yet been independently verified.
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The situation initially caused concern in Israel regarding the possibility of an airplane hijacking. According to press reports, the Israeli Air Force mobilized fighter jets as a preventive measure while the incident was being clarified. Subsequently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reported that the situation was under control and that efforts were underway to ensure the return of the Israeli passengers.
Minister Katz also participated in the security consultations convened by Netanyahu after the incident. Israeli authorities are analyzing different hypotheses about what happened, while local media have disseminated different versions regarding the nationality of the pilots and the possible motivations behind the confrontation.
For its part, Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ1073 suffered an “incident” during its journey to Tel Aviv and was diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely. The airline indicated that all passengers were safe and that its teams were collaborating with the relevant authorities.
The minister insisted that the passengers’ intervention was decisive in controlling the situation, although the exact circumstances of the confrontation and the motive of the alleged attacker are still under investigation.
The investigation must determine what happened inside the cockpit, who initiated the confrontation, and whether the episode was related to a terrorist act. So far, the classification of “jihadist terrorist attack” corresponds to the assessment expressed by the Israeli Minister of Defense and does not yet constitute a final conclusion of an international judicial investigation.
