Israel investigates Flydubai cockpit stabbing as suspected terrorist attack
Israeli authorities are investigating a cockpit stabbing on a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight as a potential terrorist attack.
Israeli officials are investigating Wednesday's emergency diversion of Flydubai flight FZ1073 as a suspected terrorist attack. According to Israeli authorities, the aircraft's Omani co-pilot stabbed the Emirati captain in an attempt to crash the plane, which was carrying roughly 180 passengers, mostly Israeli citizens.
Witnesses reported a chaotic scene in which passengers and crew restrained the assailant using headphone cables after the aircraft lost altitude rapidly. A secondary pilot eventually landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The passengers were later transported to Tel Aviv on a replacement flight.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz characterized the incident as a "jihadist attack," while security agencies raised questions over how the co-pilot bypassed security protocols. Following the event, Israel requested the suspension of Flydubai flights into the country, prompting at least one other Tel Aviv-bound flight to turn back to Dubai.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, El Mundo, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.
How outlets assessed this
- Sep 30, 2026, 09:30 PM UTC
- ANSA Alarmed Emphasized official Israeli claims framing the assault as an attempted jihadist attack comparable to September 11.
- Il Messaggero Cautious Focused on unanswered security questions regarding how the crew member passed background checks and smuggled a weapon aboard.
- ANSA Alarmed Emphasized official Israeli rhetoric comparing the attempted crash to a jihadist attack akin to 9/11.
- Il Messaggero Critical Focused on potential intelligence and vetting failures regarding foreign airline crews entering Israeli airspace.
- ANSA Alarmed Emphasized official statements labelling the hijacking an attempted jihadist attack and invoking comparisons to 9/11.
- Il Messaggero Cautious Focused on unanswered questions surrounding security screening failures and how the co-pilot brought a weapon aboard.
Sources
- Corriere della Sera — Volo Dubai-Tel Aviv dirottato, gli aggiornamenti in diretta | Israele: «Il co-pilota ha tentato di far schiantare l'aereo». E chiede la sospensione dei voli Flydubai verso il Paese
- El Mundo — Israel investiga como ataque terrorista el incidente del vuelo de Flydubai: "Nos hemos hecho con el control"
- Il Messaggero — Volo Dubai-Tel Aviv, chi è il copilota omanita e come ha fatto a evitare i controlli: il giallo della doppia cittadinanza e «l'arma» portata a bordo
- La Repubblica — Un testimone sul volo Dubai-Tel Aviv: “Abbiamo immobilizzato l’assalitore con i cavi delle cuffie”
- ANSA — Paura in volo, copilota accoltella comandante. Israele evoca l'11/9 Katz: 'Tentato attacco jihadista'
Earlier coverage
- Oct 5, 2026, 10:30 PM UTCIsrael investigates Flydubai flight hijacking attempt by co-pilot
- Oct 4, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCIsrael investigates Flydubai flight attack after co-pilot stabs captain
- Oct 4, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCIsrael investigates security lapse after foiled Flydubai flight attack
- Oct 4, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCIsrael investigates foiled Flydubai hijacking attempt as terrorism
- Oct 3, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCIsrael scrambles jets and reviews security after Flydubai hijack attempt
- Oct 3, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCIsrael investigates attempted Flydubai hijacking as terror attack
- Oct 3, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCIsrael demands Flydubai flight suspension following attempted cockpit hijacking
- Oct 3, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCIsrael investigates attempted hijack of Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv
- Oct 2, 2026, 10:30 AM UTCIsraeli agencies investigate attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight
- Oct 2, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCIsraeli agencies probe security breaches after Flydubai flight hijacking attempt