Suspected attempt to hijack a Flydubai plane bound for Israel after its pilot was stabbed

Two Israeli sources told CNN on Wednesday that they suspected the co-pilot on a Flydubai flight to Israel was trying to hijack the plane after stabbing the captain.

The two sources reported that it was not yet clear whether the intention was to shoot down the plane or land it and take hostages.

The plane's pilot and co-pilot were injured in the accident that occurred during the flight to Tel Aviv, which was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

A Flydubai spokesman said earlier on Wednesday that flight No. FZ 1073 “saw an accident during the flight” and landed at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, stressing that all passengers are fine and safe.

Two Israeli officials and an informed source also said that the Israeli authorities suspect that what happened on the flight to Tel Aviv may have been an attempt at a terrorist attack.

One of the officials said that information collected by the Israeli authorities indicates that the co-pilot tried to stab the pilot, and that an Israeli passenger helped control the co-pilot.

The source added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his agenda to hold consultations with senior security officials in Israel regarding the incident.

Two photos apparently taken on the flight showed a passenger wearing a blood-stained shirt and jeans.

The two photos, which were widely circulated on social media, show the unidentified man sitting in his seat and standing, appearing to be unharmed, but with large blood stains on his clothes.