Initial report: Second flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turns around mid-flight

On Wednesday, a Flydubai flight FZ 1073 en route to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a cockpit altercation, according to the airline. The incident occurred while the aircraft was in flight, and all passengers were reported safe upon landing at Tabuk Airport (TUU). Israeli media outlets, including Kan public broadcaster and Channel 12, initially reported that an altercation had taken place between the pilots, which triggered a distress signal.

However, the Israeli military later dismissed the notion of a possible hijacking. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that the matter was under scrutiny and that measures were being taken to ensure the safe return of the Israeli passengers to Israel. The airline and relevant authorities have not disclosed the details surrounding the cockpit confrontation.

Israeli media, citing anonymous sources, reported that passengers intervened to de-escalate the situation, with one passenger sustaining a bloodied T-shirt. Reports also suggested that one pilot may have attempted to crash the plane, though this has not been verified. The incident coincides with heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the ongoing regional conflict that erupted in late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

It also precedes the close Israeli elections scheduled for late October, with Prime Minister Netanyahu expressing concerns about potential threats ahead of the votes.