Netanyahu Says Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Attacker Was "Radically Indoctrinated," UAE Opens Terror Probe

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said preliminary investigations indicate that the man who stabbed a fellow pilot and attempted to seize control of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had been exposed to "Islamist radical indoctrination." In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu described the attacker as an Omani national and stated it was looking "very likely" that the man intended to bring the aircraft down entirely.

The incident unfolded on Wednesday aboard Flight FZ1073, which was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew en route to Ben Gurion Airport. Approximately two hours after departing Dubai International Airport at 03:05 GMT, the aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet (5,200 metres) in a matter of minutes, a dramatic loss of altitude captured by the flight tracking website Flightradar24.

According to Netanyahu, once the assailant had been overpowered and restrained by passengers and crew members, he began calling out to the aircrew, saying "kill me, kill me." The prime minister told Fox News that this behaviour made it clear the attacker was suicidal. "That's not a question," he said, adding that when combined with the Islamist tendencies and radicalisation found in the man's background, the evidence provides a strong indication of his intentions.

Netanyahu was careful to stop short of declaring a definitive conclusion, however. "I don't make final conclusions yet, but that's the indications we have now," he said. When asked earlier in the same interview whether there was any indication that Iran was involved in the attack, the prime minister replied that it was "too early to say."

The United Arab Emirates has launched its own investigation into the incident. The state news agency reported that authorities are working to determine "whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose." UAE officials have asserted jurisdiction over the case, citing the fact that the aircraft is registered in the Emirates and operates under its flag.

A separate Israeli investigation, led by the intelligence agency Mossad, has also been underway. An Israeli security source told BBC Arabic that preliminary findings suggest the alleged attacker intended to crash the plane. Investigators interviewed passengers after they arrived in Tel Aviv in order to piece together exactly what transpired during the harrowing ordeal.

The co-pilot of the flight is currently being questioned in Saudi Arabia, where the plane made an emergency landing. The aircraft had briefly entered Jordanian airspace before looping back into Saudi territory, where it began a manual descent and ultimately landed safely at Tabuk Airport in the north-west of the kingdom at 06:58. The plane had declared a general emergency at 05:31 and issued a hijacking alert at 05:38 before turning away from Tel Aviv.

Tributes have poured in for the pilot who was stabbed during the attack. Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar has been widely praised for his composure and bravery in the face of the assault. Both Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly described him as a "hero," while the Indian government commended what it called his "immense courage."

India's ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited Captain Machchhar in hospital on Thursday. The Indian Mission confirmed on social media that the pilot was "in good health and recovering well." The show of support reflects the strong diplomatic ties between India and both Israel and the UAE, and highlights the international dimensions of an incident that has drawn attention from multiple governments across the region.

The attacker was arrested in Saudi Arabia following the plane's emergency landing and is expected to be transferred to the UAE, according to Netanyahu. The transfer would place him under Emirati legal jurisdiction, where authorities are already pursuing their own investigation into whether the attack was an act of terrorism.

In the aftermath of the incident, Flydubai announced that it has suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv while it conducts its own internal investigation. Israel's Transportation Ministry said the suspension aligns with a directive issued by Prime Minister Netanyahu, signalling close coordination between the airline and the Israeli government.

Israeli carriers including El Al, Israir, and Arkia have said plans are in place to operate rescue flights from Dubai starting on Friday, aiming to bring back passengers left stranded by the suspension of the Flydubai route. The Transportation Ministry also revealed it had sent an urgent request to Etihad Airlines to increase the frequency of flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, an indication of the pressure to maintain connectivity between the UAE and Israel following the disruption.

The attack has raised fresh concerns about aviation security in a region already marked by geopolitical tensions. The fact that an assailant was able to breach the cockpit of a commercial airliner mid-flight, overpower a pilot, and trigger a sudden descent of more than 17,000 feet has prompted questions about onboard security protocols and screening procedures at Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest aviation hubs.

The swift and decisive response by passengers and crew has been credited with preventing what could have been a catastrophic outcome. Their intervention allowed the aircraft to be stabilised and safely diverted, sparing the lives of everyone on board. The episode serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of commercial aviation to lone-wolf attacks and the critical importance of passenger vigilance and crew training in emergency situations.

As investigations continue in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, the full picture of the attacker's motives, background, and any possible affiliations remains under examination. Netanyahu's remarks have added a significant political dimension to the case, framing the attack within the broader context of Islamist radicalisation. However, definitive conclusions will depend on the outcome of the multiple probes now underway, with Emirati authorities expected to take the lead given their jurisdictional claims over the aircraft and the suspect.