Netanyahu says motive behind Flydubai cockpit stabbing remains unclear

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS Evening News that the motive for the co-pilot’s stabbing of the captain on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv is still unknown. He said he does not believe the incident was a hijacking and suggested it may have been a suicide attempt, referencing a passenger who entered the cockpit to help subdue the attacker.

Netanyahu later told Fox News that Israeli authorities believe the co-pilot had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination" and described the attacker as "suicidal," adding that the man shouted "Kill me, kill me!" after being restrained.

According to Israeli officials, the incident occurred about two hours into the flight. The co-pilot attempted to jam the controls between the pilot seats, but the captain, an Indian national, fought him off and unlocked the cockpit door. Passengers and crew then entered the cockpit and subdued the attacker. Two off-duty pilots took over the aircraft and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All 174 passengers later continued to Ben Gurion Airport on a replacement flight.

An Omani official confirmed the attacker holds Omani citizenship, though the Omani government has not publicly commented. Netanyahu said the suspect is being interrogated in Saudi Arabia and is expected to be transferred to Dubai, with Israeli authorities joining the questioning.

A senior Israeli official reported that UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expects Saudi authorities to hand the pilot over to the UAE for further investigation. When asked whether mental health issues could be involved, Netanyahu replied that it was possible but that investigations would determine the facts.

Netanyahu noted that Iran and its proxies have recently threatened to increase attacks against Israelis abroad, but he cautioned that it is too early to link the incident to Iranian involvement. Flydubai said investigators are still examining whether the event could have been an attempted terror attack and urged the public to avoid speculation while the inquiry proceeds.