{
  "id": 12331775,
  "title": "Israel was prepared to shoot down flydubai jet during hijacking attempt - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/israel-was-prepared-to-shoot-down-flydubai-jet-during-hijacking",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T08:04:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-910749"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, a Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv faced a suspected hijacking attempt. Despite carrying over 150 Israelis, the passengers and crew were prepared to face potential danger. The co-pilot attacked the captain in the cockpit, attempting to crash the aircraft. As the jet plummeted 14,000 feet, Israeli authorities acted swiftly.\n\nThe Israel Air Force initiated a protocol for handling a potentially hostile civilian aircraft. They convened a committee and established a command center. Fighter jets were scrambled, and the airspace was closed. However, after observing the plane turn towards Saudi Arabia, the jets were recalled.\n\nThe hijacker was eventually subdued, and the captain managed to unlock the cockpit door. Israeli passengers and Flydubai staff overpowered the alleged attacker, taking control of the aircraft. Two off-duty pilots on board then took charge, making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Passengers were subsequently returned to Israel via a rescue flight.\n\nHad the flight continued toward Israel, Israeli fighter jets would have investigated the aircraft once it reached a predetermined distance. They would have attempted visual inspection of the cockpit and established contact with the pilot. If the aircraft had been confirmed as hijacked and the pilot maintained radio silence, the defense minister and prime minister would have been consulted for the final decision.",
  "summary": "Had Flight 1073 continued toward Israel and reached a predetermined distance, Israeli fighter jets would have entered Jordanian airspace to investigate the aircraft, the two sources told CBS News.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Israel was ready to 'shoot down' flydubai plane. But aircraft turned towards Saudi | What happened on incident day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/israel-was-ready-to-shoot-down-flydubai-plane-but-aircraft-turned",
        "published": "2026-10-06T07:25:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Report: Israel was prepared to shoot down Flydubai plane",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/report-israel-was-prepared-to-shoot-down-flydubai-plane",
        "published": "2026-10-06T08:43:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}