The Flydubai plane accident is not a hijacking... and Tabuk Airport reveals that two pilots were injured

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A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu settled the rumors that a plane belonging to the UAE company "Fly Dubai" had been involved in an accident or what was said to be a hijacking.

The spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that the incident involving the Flydubai plane that was heading to Tel Aviv was not a hijacking, according to what Reuters reported.

He also explained that all matters are under control, and all measures are being taken to return the Israeli passengers safely.

In turn, the Emirati company Flydubai explained that Flight 1073 heading from Dubai to Tel Aviv suffered an accident during its flight and landed in Tabuk. She confirmed in a statement that all passengers are fine, adding that additional updates will be issued when more confirmed details become available.

For its part, Tabuk Airport announced that it received a distress call from the plane to make an emergency landing at 8:44 this morning. He added that he declared a state of emergency and alert as soon as he received the distress call.

He also pointed out that the captain of the Flydubai plane and his co-pilot were injured on the flight that made an emergency landing. Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk explained that the Flydubai plane landed at the airport (6.45 GMT), and it was found that both the plane’s captain and the co-pilot were injured, and they were taken to the hospital, providing the necessary care to the passengers and coordinating with the air carrier to secure an alternative plane.

This came after several Israeli media outlets reported “a security incident on board a plane heading from Dubai to Tel Aviv, as the plane activated its distress call and emergency symbol.” Meanwhile, Israeli officials confirmed that a “violent quarrel” had occurred between the pilots, according to CNN.

The Israeli media hype about the incident came at a sensitive time, as Netanyahu warned yesterday of the risk of attacks on his country before the parliamentary elections scheduled for next month. He said in a video message recorded at Tel Nof Air Base: “We have indications that we may be attacked before the elections.”

It is noteworthy that parliamentary elections will be held in Israel on October 27, and based on their results, the new Knesset (Parliament) will be formed, after which the leader of the party with the largest number of seats will be tasked with forming a new government.

Note that currently, and according to the latest opinion polls, the current ruling coalition, led by Netanyahu's Likud Party, and the unified opposition are very close in results, but nevertheless, neither side has a majority of 61 seats out of 120 seats in the Knesset necessary to form a government coalition.