FlyDubai hijack suspect had 'Islamist radicalisation' in background, Netanyahu says
An Omani co-pilot stabbed captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to crash a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, carrying 174 people. Netanyahu linked the attacker to Islamist radicalisation.
Omani co-pilot subdued by passengers after stabbing captain on Dubai–Tel Aviv flight
The co-pilot of a FlyDubai aircraft who attempted to hijack the plane on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, according to lbc.co.uk.
Netanyahu told Fox News the transformation was identified by investigators and took place on Thursday — the day after the incident. He described the attack as very likely an attempt to bring down the aircraft, comparing it to a "9/11-style plot."
The incident unfolded on Wednesday when flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers and crew, plunged more than 17,000 feet. The attacker — identified as an Omani national — stabbed his fellow pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, in the cockpit.
Despite being stabbed in the head and suffering a wound that "split his arm in two," Captain Machchhar managed to open the heavily fortified cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and overpower the attacker. Two off-duty pilots — one British, one described as European — were travelling as passengers and took over the controls, executing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
After passengers restrained the suspect, tying his hands and feet, the attacker reportedly called out to the aircrew: "Kill me, kill me." Newly released footage showed the alleged hijacker surrounded by passengers, covered in blood, his white shirt stained red.
Netanyahu told Fox & Friends: "He was stabbed in the head, and his arm was basically split in two." He went on to praise Captain Machchhar, calling him "a true hero" and adding that the passengers' response had prevented "a 9/11 disaster." Writing on X, Netanyahu said: "Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals."
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attacker as a "jihadist" who "intended to kill" all 147 passengers, including 27 children. Israel has suggested the plot was aimed at crashing the aircraft and killing everyone aboard.
A hijack alert — a 7500 code, indicating unlawful interference or hijacking — was transmitted from flight FZ1073 whilst the plane was over Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Interior Ministry confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot were subsequently transferred back to the UAE on Thursday morning. UAE officials asserted jurisdiction over the incident, noting that the aircraft is registered and flies under their flag.
The United Arab Emirates state news agency reported that investigations had been launched to establish "whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose." Some observers have suggested the attack may be connected to the broader conflict between Israeli–US forces and Iran, though no confirmed link has been established.
FlyDubai said the underlying reasons for the incident remain unknown.
Passenger Miriam, speaking to Israeli channel i24, described the moment the violence became apparent to those in the cabin. "We just heard screams, and then the cockpit door opened and we saw a huge amount of blood," she said. "The plane was completely out of control. There were moments when all of us here were certain we weren't going to make it out alive."
Video footage that emerged after the emergency landing showed two men believed to be the pilot and co-pilot lying on the floor covered in blood. Further images showed relieved passengers arriving in Israel, where family and friends were waiting to receive them.
Captain Machchhar was taken to hospital following the landing in Saudi Arabia, where his condition was described as stable. Netanyahu extended his wishes for "a speedy and full recovery" to the Indian national.
A dentist on board who rushed forward to assist in wrestling the attacker has claimed the suspect begged to be killed once restrained. Netanyahu, addressing the significance of that moment alongside the background uncovered by investigators, said: "I think that'll give us a pretty good clue."
Source: The Sun