Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that it is too early to determine the motive behind the foiled attempt by a co-pilot to crash an Emirati flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Authorities have not yet suggested a motive for the attacking pilot. When asked by Fox News about possible Iranian involvement, Netanyahu replied, "It's too early to say." The attacker was arrested in Saudi Arabia after the Flydubai plane made an emergency landing. Passengers reported that they entered the cockpit and subdued the attacker as the aircraft descended sharply.
Netanyahu mentioned that he expects the attacker to be taken to the United Arab Emirates for further investigation. He noted that Israel had no prior warning or intelligence regarding the incident involving the flight, which was carrying 174 people to Israel. The pilot, who was stabbed, has been identified as Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, and he is currently hospitalized in stable condition. Both Netanyahu and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar's actions during the incident.
US President Donald Trump stated that he had spoken with Netanyahu about the incident, suggesting that the attacker might be a terrorist. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz referred to the incident as an "attempted jihadist terror attack," though he did not provide further details.
The flight, Flydubai FZ1073, took off from Dubai International Airport at 03:05 GMT and experienced a rapid descent over Saudi Arabia approximately two and a half hours into its journey. The aircraft signaled an emergency code and later reported a hijacking. After landing safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, the passengers, mostly Israeli, were repatriated to Tel Aviv later that day.
Netanyahu described the situation as a "very serious security incident" and commended the passengers and crew for their bravery in overcoming the attacker. Flydubai confirmed that an altercation occurred in the flight deck and that the crew successfully secured the flight. Passengers arriving in Tel Aviv were met with emotional scenes, as many expressed relief and gratitude after the traumatic experience. Eyewitness accounts detailed how passengers worked together to subdue the attacker and regain control of the aircraft.