Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a co-pilot on a flight to Israel attempted to crash the plane after stabbing the captain, with 174 passengers surviving after a dramatic emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident involved a stabbing in the cockpit and a struggle that averted disaster.
Netanyahu confirmed the co-pilot, an Omani national, underwent Islamist radical indoctrination and was under investigation by the UAE. The co-pilot was transferred to the UAE after being detained in Saudi Arabia, where he was suspected of attacking the captain during the flight. Israeli officials described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
The UAE and Israel are collaborating on the investigation, with the UAE probing possible terrorist links. Netanyahu emphasized the need for enhanced pilot screening, citing the co-pilot's ability to fly despite diplomatic constraints. The incident has raised concerns about security protocols and the potential for future threats.
Trump warned that if Iran was behind the co-pilot, the Islamic Republic would face severe consequences, highlighting the geopolitical tensions surrounding the incident and the ongoing war with Iran.