Israeli Officials Label Fly-dubai Hijacking Attempt a 'Jihadist Terrorist Attack'
Passengers subdued co-pilot after alleged assault on pilot during flight to Tel Aviv.
Israeli authorities are characterizing an attempted hijacking of a Fly-dubai flight destined for Tel Aviv as a "jihadist terrorist attack." The incident occurred approximately two and a half hours into the flight, when the co-pilot reportedly attacked the pilot in the cockpit, allegedly with a knife, while the aircraft was at cruising altitude.
According to statements from Israeli officials, the co-pilot's intention was to gain control of the aircraft and crash it with its passengers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a passenger managed to breach the flight deck and overpower the alleged attacker. The Israeli defense minister issued a statement confirming that initial reports indicated the perpetrator's singular aim was to cause the plane to crash.
The flight was diverted and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Details regarding the nationalities of the passengers and crew, or the specific condition of the pilot, have not been fully disclosed.