What we know so far about alleged stabbing of pilot by co-pilot on flight to Israel

What Happened

A flydubai Boeing 737 traveling from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Israel diverted to Tabuk airport in north-western Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an apparent brawl between its pilots. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed the co-pilot and appeared to intend to crash the plane; a passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and 'neutralised' the attacker, according to Netanyahu. The plane transmitted three emergency signals, including one indicating possible unlawful interference, and descended about 16,000ft in two minutes while over Jordan, prompting Israeli officials to scramble fighter jets. Between 160 and 180 passengers were aboard, Israeli officials said. A passenger, Miryam Shira Ohayon, said the plane was 'pretty much out of control' and that the co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and carry out a suicide attack. An Israeli official identified the attacker as an Omani national, Reuters reported. Both pilots were taken to hospital after landing at 9:45am local time. Netanyahu called it 'an extremely severe security incident'; Israeli defence minister Israel Katz called it an attempted terrorist attack.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The incident occurred on a commercial route between the UAE and Israel established after the 2020 Abraham Accords, making a possible mid-air attack on Israelis a direct test of normalization and aviation security. If confirmed as a terror attack by an Omani national, it could raise questions about crew vetting on Gulf–Israel routes and prompt Israeli military and diplomatic responses beyond the immediate emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia.

Watch For

Watch for results of the Israeli investigation into whether the incident was an attempted terror attack, including any formal statement by flydubai, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE. Monitor updates on the condition of both pilots and whether the Omani national is named or charged, as well as any new security measures imposed on flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv or changes to Israeli airspace procedures.