Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an Omani co-pilot on a flight to Israel had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination, citing a stabbing incident that averted a potential disaster. The co-pilot, who allegedly tried to crash the plane, was intercepted by passengers and crew, leading to a safe landing in Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu confirmed the co-pilot, an Omani national, was being interrogated in Saudi Arabia and described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack. The flight, which had 174 passengers including 166 Israelis, was rerouted after the co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the plane. Israeli officials are collaborating with the UAE and Saudi Arabia to investigate the incident.
The incident has prompted calls for increased scrutiny of airline pilots, with Netanyahu highlighting the need for background checks. The UAE and Israel are working together on the investigation, while flydubai has suspended flights to Israel until the inquiry is complete. No definitive conclusions have been reached on the co-pilot's motives or potential links to terrorism.