Flydubai Flight FZ1073, bound from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was hijacked mid‑air when the co‑pilot stabbed the captain and tried to seize control of the aircraft carrying 180 passengers. The violent clash forced the jet to descend 17,400 feet in about two minutes before it issued an emergency signal, then changed to a hijacking code, prompting Israeli Air Force jets to scramble. The plane veered off into Jordanian airspace, looping back to land at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, where both pilots were hospitalized and all passengers emerged unharmed, according to the airport authority.
Israeli authorities have shifted their assessment, saying terrorism cannot be ruled out. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office described the situation as “under control” after consultations, but the Interior Ministry will now investigate the motive behind the attack. The incident follows Netanyahu’s warning that Israel’s enemies might attempt pre‑election attacks, adding a layer of urgency to the probe.
The emergency landing at Tabuk required a second team of pilots in civilian clothes to take the wheel, as the original crew were incapacitated. The flight’s squawk code 7500 appeared on radar, confirming unlawful interference, while the aircraft’s descent profile matched that of a hijacked plane. The incident has prompted a review of flydubai’s crew training protocols and the airline’s security vetting procedures.
The investigation will conclude by next week’s parliamentary vote, where lawmakers are expected to debate measures to tighten aviation security and address the potential threat of terrorism targeting civilian airliners. Security officials will present findings at a briefing scheduled for Monday, with the outcome expected to influence Israel’s upcoming election campaign.