Overview
- A violent cockpit altercation on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv forced a rapid descent of about 17,400 feet and an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with the crew issuing a distress call and ICAO hijack code 7500 on Wednesday.
- Passengers and crew entered the cabin, overpowered and restrained the assailant using makeshift ties such as headphone cords, and witnesses and officials report the restrained man shouted 'kill me' after being subdued.
- Saudi authorities detained the Omani co‑pilot after the landing and later handed him to UAE officials, while Captain Smit Machchar was treated for injuries and transferred to Abu Dhabi where the Indian mission says he is recovering.
- Israeli officials and outlets say the suspect's social‑media posts included calls to kill Jews and signs of Islamist influence, and President Trump has suggested possible Iranian links that remain unverified and under investigation.
- Saudi, UAE and Israeli security and judicial agencies, with reported cooperation from Shin Bet and Mossad, are conducting an active probe that has already prompted immediate reviews of pilot vetting and rules for crew from countries without formal ties to Israel.