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Netanyahu says Dubai-Tel Aviv flight attacker underwent Islamist radical indoctrination

Quick Look

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that investigations indicate the man who stabbed a fellow pilot and attempted to hijack a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination.
The attacker, identified as an Omani national, was subdued by passengers and crew after the plane plunged over 17,000 feet.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where the pilots were cleared medically and returned to the UAE.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The flight was operated by Flydubai, a UAE-based airline, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Oman does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, unlike the UAE, which normalized ties under the Abraham Accords. Pilots from countries without such relations are typically restricted from flying to Israel, suggesting a possible loophole in aviation security protocols.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says investigations suggest the man who stabbed his fellow pilot and tried to take over a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination".

The Flydubai plane plunged more than 17,000ft (5,200m) two hours into its journey on Wednesday, before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and retook control to land safely.

Netanyahu told Fox News that it was looking "very likely" that the attacker, who he said was an Omani national, "was going to down the plane".

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) state news agency reports investigations have begun there to determine "whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose".

The Interior Ministry of Saudi Arabia - where the plane made an emergency landing - said that both the pilot and co-pilot had been sent back to the UAE on Thursday morning after medical teams had cleared them.

UAE officials earlier claimed jurisdiction over the incident because the aircraft on which the attack took place is registered there and flies under its flag.

Netanyahu told Fox that once the attacker had been subdued and tied up by passengers and crew, he was "calling out to the aircrew 'kill me, kill me', so it's clear he was suicidal - that's not a question".

"And with all the passengers in there, and if you couple that with what I just told you about the Islamist tendencies, that radicalisation that were found in his background, I think... that'll give us a pretty good clue."

However, he stressed that he did not want to draw any firm conclusions as to motive yet.

Pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel were usually not allowed to fly there, Netanyahu said when asked about how the suspected Omani pilot came to be on the plane.

He added: "Obviously there was a loophole here and we're taking care of that among other things... with the full co-operation, I have to say, of the Emirati government, so we're both interested in making sure this doesn't happen again."

Oman has not formally established official ties with Israel, unlike the UAE.

The prime minister was also asked earlier on the same network whether there was an indication if Iran was involved, he replied: "It's too early to say".

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

UAE and Israeli authorities will announce enhanced security screening procedures for passengers and crew on flights to Israel.
Likely · Within weeks
The Omani government may issue a public statement condemning the attacker’s actions and clarifying its position on Israel.
Possible · Within days

Open Questions

What specific Islamist radical indoctrination did the attacker undergo?
How did the attacker gain access to the flight deck despite Oman having no diplomatic ties with Israel?
Was the attacker acting alone or as part of a broader network?
What security loophole allowed the incident to occur, and how will it be addressed?

Netanyahu says Dubai-Tel Aviv flight attacker underwent Islamist radical indoctrination

Quick Look

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that investigations indicate the man who stabbed a fellow pilot and attempted to hijack a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination.
The attacker, identified as an Omani national, was subdued by passengers and crew after the plane plunged over 17,000 feet.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where the pilots were cleared medically and returned to the UAE.