Netanyahu warns of ‘very heavy price’ over flydubai attack

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Dubai–Tel Aviv flydubai flight had been radicalized by Islamists and meant to crash the plane. He warned that whoever sent the man "will pay a very heavy price".france24+1

"As time passes, the picture is becoming clearer: The attacker underwent Islamist radicalisation. He came to crash the plane with all passengers on board," Netanyahu said in a video posted on X. "We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price". He did not name any country and gave no evidence that a state was involved.arabnews+3

Iran suspicions and a terror label

Netanyahu has blamed Iran for attacks many times over the years. Israel and the United States attacked Iran in February. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was "hearing" that Iran was involved and that the country would "be hit very hard" if so. He also offered no evidence. In earlier interviews with CNN and Fox News, Netanyahu said Israel had received no warning ahead of the incident. "We will know very soon if Iran had a connection to this," he said. Agence France-Presse noted that Iran has little known history with hijackings. Netanyahu had earlier left open the possibility that the co-pilot was experiencing mental health problems.naharnet+2

On Friday, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash called the incident a "terrorist act." It was the first time a senior Emirati official had described it that way. Gargash praised Indian captain Smit Machchhar as a "true hero" and urged people not to promote "conspiracy theories".france24+1

Struggle in the cockpit

The attack happened on Wednesday aboard flight FZ1073, which had 174 people on board. Israeli officials and witnesses say the co-pilot stabbed Machchhar. The injured captain then opened the cockpit door so passengers could overpower his attacker. Four Israeli passengers forced their way into the cockpit, and other pilots who were travelling on the plane helped fly it. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, and no one was killed.jfeed+3

"At that moment I was fighting for my life," Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a phone call.jfeed

Investigation moves to the UAE

Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said both pilots were moved to the UAE under Emirati security escort. The UAE says it has jurisdiction over the case because the plane is registered there and flies its flag. Its investigation is looking at whether the attack involved "prior planning or direction" or any link to terrorist activity. The Times of India reported that the co-pilot is now being questioned. Israel's Prime Minister's Office and Justice Ministry are trying to get access to him. Israel's Transportation Ministry said return flights by Israeli airlines from Dubai would be delayed while security arrangements are completed.democrata+3