WorldPosted at: Oct 1 2026 9:07PM


Netanyahu says motive behind stabbing Captain Smit Machchhar aboard FlyDubai jet unclear

Jerusalem, Oct 1 (UNI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the motive behind the FlyDubai co-pilot stabbing the pilot, Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, on a passenger jet bound for Tel Aviv remained unclear, suggesting that the motive was not necessarily linked to hijacking.
Speaking to CBS News on Wednesday, Netanyahu said he did not believe the incident was an attempted hijacking, citing the account of passenger Yaniv Hayoun, who helped subdue the attacker.
"I don't think it was a hijacking," Netanyahu said, adding that the co-pilot's actions appeared consistent with a suicide attempt.
He alleged that the co-pilot had tried to jam equipment between the two pilot seats rather than take control of the aircraft. Hayoun, who was credited with helping restrain the attacker, was described by Netanyahu as a hero.
Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Netanyahu said Israeli authorities had gathered personal information suggesting the co-pilot had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination".
He did not provide further details but described the attacker as suicidal, claiming he shouted "Kill me, kill me!" after being subdued by passengers and crew members.
According to Israeli officials, the incident occurred on Wednesday morning, about two hours into the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when the co-pilot stabbed the captain Machchhar.
Data analysed by BBC News, showed that the aircraft plunged about 17,000 feet before climbing 5,000 feet and dropping another 7,000 feet. It eventually stabilised.
Israeli officials and passengers said Machchhar managed to fight off the co-pilot and unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and restrain the attacker.
Two off-duty pilots subsequently took control of the aircraft and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. There were 174 people on board, according to Israeli officials.
Most passengers later boarded a replacement FlyDubai aircraft and arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport on Wednesday night.
Netanyahu told CBS News that the co-pilot was expected to be transferred to Dubai for questioning, adding that Israeli authorities would join the interrogation to establish what had happened.
A senior Israeli official told CBS News on Thursday that UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had personally informed Netanyahu a day earlier that he expected Saudi Arabia to transfer the suspect to the UAE for questioning.
Netanyahu said investigators had yet to establish whether the incident stemmed from a mental health issue or terrorism.
He also raised the possibility of Iranian involvement, citing alleged indications that Tehran and its proxies were planning to intensify attacks against Israel and Israeli nationals abroad.
However, he said it was too early to determine whether Iran had any connection to the incident.
An Israeli security official had previously told CBS News that investigators were examining whether the stabbing was part of an attempted terrorist attack resembling the September 11 attacks in the US.
An Omani official confirmed to CBS News that the suspect was born in Oman and holds Omani citizenship, although the Omani government has not publicly confirmed his nationality.
Netanyahu said the suspect was being interrogated in Saudi Arabia.
FlyDubai said the motive remained unknown and that a formal investigation was under way. The airline urged all parties to avoid premature speculation while authorities established the facts.
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