Delta Flight to Tel Aviv Evacuated in Israel After Bomb Threat
The aircraft, en route from New York, was diverted to a remote runway for security checks following an unverified threat.
A Delta flight traveling from New York to Tel Aviv was evacuated in Israel on Tuesday morning after the aircraft received a bomb threat, local media reported. The plane was diverted to a remote runway upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, where security forces conducted checks.
Initial assessments suggest the threat may have been a false alarm, according to the Jerusalem Post. Passengers were safely evacuated to the terminal, and authorities stated there was no immediate danger. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Delta Air Lines had resumed its New York to Tel Aviv route in September, more than six months after suspending it due to the conflict with Iran. The airline and airport authorities have maintained a high state of readiness, particularly following an attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight in late September.
In that earlier incident, an Omani Flydubai co-pilot reportedly intended to hijack the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and crash it into an airport terminal as a suicide attack. The co-pilot's plan was allegedly inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. He attacked the captain with a crash axe while the aircraft was in Saudi airspace, causing it to plunge significantly before other crew members intervened and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. The suspect was subsequently transferred to the UAE. Investigations by UAE prosecutors found that while the suspect met professional and security requirements for employment, there were signs of his increasing extremism and terrorist intentions as early as 2017, while he was studying in Australia. He reportedly confessed to investigators that he had prepared psychologically and physically for the attack by viewing terrorist material and taking boxing lessons.