“What happened was very dangerous.” Netanyahu’s first comment on the Flydubai plane accident

Tel Aviv - Ofoq News - Today, Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed information about the security incident that occurred on board a Flydubai flight that was heading from Dubai to Tel Aviv, stressing that the Israeli authorities are dealing with the incident seriously, and praising the passengers and crew members who contributed to controlling the situation, while ordering the security services to prepare for possible threats.

Netanyahu said that a “very serious security incident” occurred on Wednesday morning on the flight coming from Dubai to Israel, noting that the majority of passengers were Israeli.

He added that the accident occurred while the plane was approaching Israel, saying that one of the pilots stabbed his colleague and tried, according to preliminary Israeli estimates, to control the plane and bring it down with those on it.

Netanyahu said: “I salute the heroes of the flight coming from Dubai who showed exceptional ingenuity and courage. They saved many lives and prevented a major disaster.”

He explained that the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia, and that all passengers were fine, while the pilot who participated in the incident was arrested and is being interrogated by the Saudi authorities.

Netanyahu stressed that Israel is in constant contact with the competent authorities to ensure the safety of the passengers and work to return them to Israel.

He added: "I have instructed the security services to prepare for more potential threats. We are conducting continuous assessments of the situation, and we will provide you with updates as soon as they are received."

Emergency landing in Tabuk after emergency signals

Flydubai flight No. FZ1073, heading from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, changed its course during the flight and made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, after sending emergency signals that raised initial fears that it might be hijacked.

Flight tracking data indicated that the plane initially sent the general emergency code, before minutes later sending another signal linked to the possibility of unlawful interference or hijacking, and then returned to the general emergency code.

Navigation data showed that the plane witnessed a sharp decline from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet to about 16,600 feet within a short period, before changing its course towards Saudi Arabia and landing at Tabuk Airport.

The Tabuk Airport administration said that the air control center received a distress call from the flight and a state of emergency was declared, before the plane landed safely, while the two pilots of the plane were transported, according to the airport statement, to receive treatment after they were injured. The necessary assistance was also provided to passengers, and coordination began with the airline to provide an alternative aircraft.

For its part, Flydubai said that the flight was involved in an “accident during the flight,” which required it to be diverted and make a precautionary landing at Tabuk Airport, stressing that the plane landed safely and that the company is working with the competent authorities to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Israeli suspicion of an attempted attack

Later, two Israeli officials and an informed source said that the Israeli authorities suspected that the incident may have been an attempt to carry out a terrorist attack.

According to what was reported by "CNN", information collected by the Israeli authorities indicates that the co-pilot tried to stab the pilot of the plane, while one of the Israeli passengers helped control him.

Reuters quoted Israeli officials as saying that preliminary investigations are dealing with the possibility that the incident was an attempt at a “terrorist” attack, noting that the investigation is still ongoing and that the details of the incident have not been finally resolved.

On the other hand, other reports indicated that the accident may have resulted from a physical clash between members of the flight crew, and that fears of hijacking were mainly the result of emergency signals and the sudden change in the altitude and course of the plane.

The circumstances of what happened inside the cockpit remain under investigation, while Flydubai has not yet announced official details about the cause of the clash.

Netanyahu cancels his agenda and holds security consultations

The accident sparked widespread alert in Israel, after emergency signals arrived from the plane while it was flying in the area, with a large number of Israelis on board.

"Deiot Ahronoth" reported that Netanyahu held another meeting to evaluate the situation with the participation of security officials and the aviation authority, after canceling part of his agenda to hold consultations with senior officials regarding the incident.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and senior officials in the security system also participated in assessments of the situation, while Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted an assessment of the incident with the participation of a number of senior officers, including the Air Force Commander, the Head of the Operations Directorate, and the Head of the Intelligence Directorate.

Israeli reports indicated that Israeli fighters were sent in anticipation of any development, before the authorities ensured that the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

Lack of Saudi approval for an Israeli rescue flight

In light of the plane landing in Saudi Arabia, where there are no official diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Israel, Yedioth Ahronoth said that no Saudi approval had been issued until that time to operate Israeli Air Force rescue flights to return passengers.

The Israeli authorities are continuing their contacts regarding the safety of the passengers and arrangements for their return to Israel, while sources said that coordination is taking place with the relevant Saudi authorities after the emergency landing.

A female passenger narrates moments of horror

The Israeli "i24" channel quoted a passenger on the flight, who identified herself only as "Miriam," as saying that one of the pilots had been stabbed, and that the passengers lived moments during which they thought they might not get out alive.

The passenger said that the passengers heard screams before the cockpit door opened, adding that they saw "a huge amount of blood." She explained that one of the pilots was injured and receiving first aid, but she was unable to determine who stabbed him at those moments.

She described the situation inside the plane as "completely out of control," adding that the passengers believed at moments that they "would not get out alive."

Investigations are continuing

Available data indicate that the flight completed its landing in Tabuk without a disaster, while the passengers received assistance after their arrival at the airport, and the two injured pilots were transferred to receive treatment.

While the Israeli authorities speak of a suspicion of an attempt to carry out an attack, other accounts indicate a violent clash between the two pilots inside the cockpit, which led to their injury and the triggering of emergency signals. Saudi and Israeli investigations are still ongoing to determine the full sequence of events and the motive behind the incident.

Flydubai announced that it continues to work with the authorities and relevant authorities to follow up on the accident and determine its circumstances, stressing that it will announce more details when available.