What we know about stabbing on Flydubai flight to Israel

A commercial flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday following an airborne stabbing incident inside the cockpit, officials and carrier representatives reported.

The incident occurred aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying more than 150 people toward Ben-Gurion Airport. According to statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one pilot stabbed another and subsequently attempted to bring down the aircraft. Both the captain and the first officer sustained injuries and were transferred to a medical facility upon arrival, while Saudi authorities detained the accused pilot for questioning.

Flight tracking records from Flightradar24 indicated that roughly two and a half hours into the trip, the aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet in under two minutes while flying through Saudi airspace. The crew transmitted emergency signals, including a distress squawk code indicating a hijacking, before looping through Jordanian airspace and heading back for an emergency touchdown at Tabuk Airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia.

Travellers aboard the aircraft recounted scenes of panic and confusion as the disturbance erupted in the flight deck. Witnesses speaking to media outlets described passengers and off-duty crew members rushing to assist when shouting was heard from the front cabin. Passenger Zvika Meness told Israeli broadcaster Kan News that he and two other individuals managed to tackle and subdue the assailant using zip ties and headphone cables. Off-duty pilots travelling as passengers then stepped in to help guide the airliner down safely.

Flydubai confirmed that a confrontation took place on the flight deck and noted that crew members on board managed to regain control, landing the aircraft without further injury to those in the cabin. The airline stated that replacement flights were arranged to bring the passengers and remaining crew members onward to Tel Aviv later that evening.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz characterized the episode as an attempted extremist assault. However, investigating agencies, emergency response teams, and police officials have not released formal findings regarding the suspect's background or motives.

Netanyahu commended the passengers and crew who intervened, describing their quick actions as life-saving after what he termed a severe security breach. Both Israeli and Saudi Arabian militaries launched fighter aircraft during the emergency, and regional authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disruption.