The Dubai to Tel Aviv flight landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and passengers helped subdue him. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker “apparently attempted to crash the plane, with everyone on board” and was arrested by Saudi authorities. Flydubai said the reasons and motives remain unknown. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national who passengers said opened the cockpit door before collapsing, is recovering in a Saudi hospital, an Indian colleague told i24NEWS reporter Ariel Oseran.
Netanyahu spoke with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed following the incident and is due to discuss it with President Donald Trump, an Israeli official said. The passengers returned to Israel aboard a replacement Flydubai aircraft, and Netanyahu met those who helped restrain the attacker at Ben Gurion Airport.