International
oi-Prakash KL
A day before a flydubai flight triggered a hijack alert while flying towards Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the country’s enemies could attempt an attack ahead of the October 27 election.
Netanyahu issued the warning on Tuesday during a visit to the Tel Nof air base, saying Israel had received indications of a possible attack but offering no details about the nature of the threat or where it could come from.
Israeli PM Netanyahu warned of enemy attacks before the Oct 27 election, hours before flydubai flight FZ1073 bound for Israel signaled a hijack alert, diverted to Saudi Arabia after alleged pilot conflict, with terrorism considered a possibility.
“We have indications that, ahead of the elections, our enemies will try to attack us,” Netanyahu said in a video message.
He also warned those behind any such attack that Israel’s military would respond. “Don’t mess with us – not now, and not ever,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel’s “long arm” could reach its enemies anywhere and at any time.
The remarks came under scrutiny from opposition leaders, who demanded that the government provide more information about the alleged threat. They also raised questions over whether the warning could be used to influence the political atmosphere ahead of the election.
The following day, a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel triggered an international hijack alert, prompting Israeli fighter jets to scramble.
Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying around 180 passengers, including more than 100 Israeli nationals, was en route from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport when the incident unfolded.
The aircraft initially transmitted an emergency signal and later switched to transponder code 7500, the internationally recognised code for hijacking or unlawful interference. Israeli Air Force fighter jets were sent towards the aircraft as a precaution.
The flight subsequently turned away from Israel. Flight-tracking data showed it moving through Jordanian airspace before heading towards Saudi Arabia, where it eventually made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport.
The operator of the airport said both the pilot and co-pilot were injured and taken to hospital. All passengers and other crew members were reported safe.
The circumstances behind the alert were not immediately clear. Initial reports said the aircraft had been diverted following a violent confrontation between the two pilots. The co-pilot was allegedly accused of stabbing the pilot and attempting to take control of the aircraft.
Israeli authorities have since said they are not ruling out a terrorism angle in the incident, although there has been no confirmation linking it to the threat mentioned by Netanyahu.
According to The Times of Israel, the aircraft descended by around 17,400 feet in roughly two minutes before transmitting its first emergency signal.
Netanyahu’s office later said the situation was under control after the prime minister held consultations over the aviation incident.
