From Algeria to Entebbe to flydubai, aircraft hijackings have long plagued Israel (and the West)

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after an altercation occurred inside the cockpit. The incident involved a co-pilot allegedly stabbing the Indian captain, triggering a steep descent. According to the South China Morning Post, the plane was carrying 174 people, mostly Israelis.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that an investigation team has been formed to examine the circumstances and motives behind the incident. The probe will look into possible terrorist links. The Attorney General of the Federation, Hamad al-Shamsi, ordered the formation of the team, which will investigate under UAE law as the aircraft is registered in the state.

Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues. The airline stated that the safety and wellbeing of passengers, crew, and operations remain their highest priority. The incident occurred on September 30, and the temporary suspension will allow authorities to establish all the facts surrounding the incident, as reported by IOL.

Brief written by urgent.news from Haaretz, Egypt Independent, South China Morning Post, Live Mint, IOL — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.