Netanyahu Praises Hero Plumber for Foiling Flydubai Hijacking, Vows to Investigate Iran's Role

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended a passenger, identified as Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun, for his actions in subduing the co-pilot of a flydubai flight that plummeted towards the ground. Netanyahu stated that Hayoun's heroism prevented what could have been a catastrophe akin to another 9/11.

"He acted with a coolness of judgement and heroism that prevented another 9/11," Netanyahu said of Hayoun during an appearance on Fox News' "Hannity." The prime minister met with Hayoun, who had been covered in blood, upon their safe return to Israel. Hayoun reportedly told Netanyahu that he "just had to do it" when he intervened from the 16th row of the plane during the incident.

"He's an incredible hero. Look at what he did under impossible circumstances," Netanyahu told host Sean Hannity. "Without his courage, we'd have faced a disaster of unbelievable proportions."

Netanyahu also mentioned speaking with Hayoun's children, who were also on board the flight and described being thrown to the ceiling during the terrifying ordeal.

While not explicitly labeling the event a terrorist attack, Netanyahu pledged a thorough investigation into the co-pilot's motives and potential connections. "We'll get to the root of this attacker, whether he had accomplices, whether Iran was behind it. I think we'll find out, very soon," he stated.

The flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was reportedly sent into a steep nosedive by the alleged actions of the co-pilot, whose identity and background are under investigation.