Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Israel will seek extradition of an Omani national co‑pilot suspected of orchestrating a jihadist attack on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv that forced a diversion to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. The Boeing 737 was forced to descend abruptly after a confrontation in the cockpit where the co‑pilot allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar, jeopardizing the flight.
Captain Machchhar, despite injuries, opened the cockpit door and the Indian and Israeli passengers fought the assailant, preventing a catastrophe.
Sa’ar said the attacker may have aimed to kill Israelis, damage UAE‑Israel ties, and harm the UAE itself, citing the surge in Israeli tourism to the Gulf as a motive.
Saudi authorities have handed the suspect to UAE investigators; Iran involvement remains unproven, though Sa’ar noted the possibility.
Israel has formally requested Saudi Arabia to extradite the suspect to the UAE, where the case will be examined further.