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Although Israel has found no evidence of Iranian participation in the plot to crash a flight full of Israeli passengers, the US president anticipates retaliation and points out that "based on what I hear", Tehran could have been behind the failed attack. The United Arab Emirates reported on October 1 that it had opened an investigation to determine whether the incident that forced a Flydubai plane bound for Tel Aviv to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia a day earlier was linked to "terrorist activity or intent."

The essentials:

Below, the main news this Thursday, October 1, related to the Flydubai flight bound for Israel that was diverted a day earlier to Saudi Arabia after the pilot was stabbed by the co-pilot in mid-flight:

US and Israel point fingers at Iran for incident on Flydubai flight, although without evidence

The United States and Israel suggested a possible involvement of Iran in the incident of the Flydubai flight that, on September 30, was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia while en route to Tel Aviv. Although Israel has not presented evidence confirming Iranian involvement in an alleged plot to crash the plane, the US president anticipated retaliation and declared that "based on what I hear, Tehran may have been behind the failed attack."

Netanyahu congratulates Flydubai passengers and affirms that the pilot could have been "neutralized"

A day after what could have been a tragic plane crash, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again congratulated the passengers of the Flydubai flight. For his part, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised pilot Smit Macchhar, who was seriously injured after an altercation in the cockpit. Although investigations into the causes of the incident are still ongoing, Netanyahu assured that the pilot could have been "neutralized."

Trump threatens to "hit Iran very hard" if it is behind the Flydubai incident

US President Donald Trump has vowed to "hit Iran very hard" if investigations reveal the Islamic Republic was behind the attempt to crash the Flydubai plane with more than 180 passengers on board.

Trump's statements come as investigations are still underway to determine why the co-pilot of the flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv stabbed the pilot, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

"We are working on it right now," said the president when asked by journalists about links between Tehran and the frustrated attack. "I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now."

When asked what the retaliation would be if this were confirmed, he stated: "Oh, they are going to hit you, very hard, don't worry. You just have to ask them, they know what happened. They will receive a very strong hit."

Israel has indicated that it has not detected Iranian involvement.

Initial Saudi investigation indicates Flydubai co-pilot attacked aircraft captain: Interior Ministry

Saudi Arabia reported this Thursday that its initial investigation indicates that the co-pilot of a flydubai flight covering the Dubai - Tel Aviv route attacked the captain during the flight on Wednesday, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in the Saudi city of Tabuk.

In a statement – ​​the first statement from the Saudi Government on the incident – ​​the Ministry of the Interior indicated that both the captain and the co-pilot, who were treated in a hospital for various injuries, left for Abu Dhabi on the morning of October 1 after receiving medical discharge. Saudi Arabia said it carried out the preliminary investigation in collaboration with security teams from the United Arab Emirates.

Stabbed pilot Smit Machchhar has been flown to Abu Dhabi to continue his medical recovery: Indian Foreign Ministry

Israel indicates that, for the moment, it has not detected Iranian involvement

When asked if there were signs of Iranian involvement in the alleged attempted attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded that it is too early to say.

Israel has not officially suggested involvement by the Islamic Republic against which it launched a war, alongside the United States, last February.

Two other Israeli security officials cited by Reuters indicated that, so far, their country has not detected any involvement from Tehran.

Netanyahu identifies alleged Flydubai flight attacker as Oman citizen

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, identified the co-pilot, accused of being the attacker, as a citizen of Oman. The authorities of that country have not commented on the matter.

"There are restrictions that prevent having pilots from countries that do not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. So, obviously, he managed to overcome that obstacle," Netanyahu told 'Fox News'.

In another interview with the same American television network, the premier stated that the attacker was being investigated in Saudi Arabia and that, in his opinion, he would be transferred to the United Arab Emirates.

Emirates to investigate 'terrorist intent' of Flydubai attack; Netanyahu talks about Iran

Pilot attacked in Flydubai incident is in good health: Embassy of India

The Indian pilot attacked on Wednesday during an incident on a FlyDubai flight is in good health and recovering favorably, according to the Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates through X.

The embassy reported that the Indian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates visited the pilot in the hospital and is maintaining close coordination with local authorities to ensure the continuity of his medical care and well-being.

Pilot fight in the air and emergency landing: what we know about the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight that was diverted

A commercial plane flying from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Tel Aviv, Israel, was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia this Wednesday, September 30, after a violent incident between the pilots in the cockpit, who were subsequently hospitalized for their injuries. The event briefly raised fears of a possible hijacking and led Israel to mobilize fighter jets. Below, what we know about the incident that the Jewish-majority state is investigating as a possible attempted “terrorist attack.”

International investigation begins while they try to clarify the reason for the alleged attempted attack on a Flydubai flight

The motive, background and affiliation of the Omani co-pilot accused of stabbing his captain in an apparent attempt to crash a flight heading to Israel from Dubai remain unknown, as international teams launch investigations into the incident.

Saudi investigators, who initially detained the co-pilot after landing, were collaborating with the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Oman and Israel to try to determine the attacker's motive, according to a regional official familiar with the investigation. "All possible hypotheses are being examined, from terrorism to mental disorders. For now nothing is ruled out," he told AP.

The motive, background and affiliation of the Omani co-pilot remain unknown, while international teams begin investigations into the incident.

Netanyahu claims FlyDubai co-pilot received 'radical Islamist indoctrination'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot who he claims tried to crash the FlyDubai passenger plane heading to Israel had been the subject of "Islamist" radicalization.

"We know that he received radical Islamist indoctrination," Netanyahu declared in an interview with 'Fox News'. However, he did not provide evidence to support this statement.

Likewise, Netanyahu supported the program 'Fox & Friends' that within days could determine whether the FlyDubai co-pilot had ties to Iran.

Who is Smit Machchhar, the injured pilot who helped prevent a tragedy?

Smit Machchhar, Indian commander of Flydubai flight FZ 1073, managed to activate the cockpit door opening mechanism while wounded and covered in blood, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the attacker. Two company pilots who were traveling as passengers helped land the plane. All passengers were safe and Machchhar was hospitalized in a stable condition, according to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.

Originally from Mumbai, married and father of two children, Machchhar has accumulated nearly 9,750 flight hours and about 15 years of career, with experience on Boeing 737. He initially planned to work in the family textile company, but discovered his interest in aviation around the age of 19. He trained in New Zealand, worked for 11 years at SpiceJet, where he became an instructor commander, and has been at Flydubai for four years. His acquaintances describe him as a calm person and capable of remaining calm under pressure.

Guterres expresses concern over incident on Flydubai flight and relief at averting tragedy

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres declared himself "deeply concerned" by the serious incident on board a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv and "relieved that a tragedy has been avoided."

According to a statement from his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, he condemned any act that endangers the lives of civilians and the safety of civil aviation, and thanked the authorities for having guaranteed the safety of all passengers.

The United Arab Emirates justice announces an investigation to determine if it was terrorism

The attorney general of the United Arab Emirates announced the opening of an investigation into the September 30 incident involving a Flydubai plane bound for Tel Aviv.

"The investigation team has begun its work on the incident, in coordination with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the competent agencies," to determine "to what extent it is linked to terrorist activity or intention," the official WAM news agency reported, citing the attorney general.

The Israeli president wants to honor four Israeli passengers who prevented the plane from crashing

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced his intention to award one of his country's highest civilian honors to four Israeli passengers who prevented a Flydubai plane from crashing the previous day after an altercation between the pilots.

"I intend to present their act of heroism to the advisory committee responsible for the Presidential Award for Citizen Heroism and recommend that it be awarded to them," Isaac Herzog said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia refused to send Israeli planes to repatriate passengers

Saudi Arabia, which does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Israel, rejected several Israeli requests to send planes to repatriate passengers from a Flydubai flight that was diverted, a Saudi source close to the case told AFP.

"They asked to send military planes, two or three, directly to Tabuk airport... The request was rejected. (...) Then they asked to send a commercial plane. That was also rejected," the source said.

Netanyahu orders to strengthen security on flights to Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered security for flights to Israel, both Israeli and foreign airlines, to be strengthened, his office spokesman Doron Spielman told Reuters.

That country maintains some of the strictest airport security measures in the world and has not suffered a hijacking in decades.

Modi calls captain of Flydubai flight a "hero", praises his bravery

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, called Captain Smit Machchhar a "hero" on the social network X and highlighted that, despite being seriously injured, he showed "immense courage" to protect others.

According to Modi, his bravery saved hundreds of lives and averted a great tragedy. He added that India is proud of the pilot and expressed wishes for a speedy recovery.

Netanyahu accuses co-pilot of trying to crash Flydubai plane, praises captain

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the co-pilot of the Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight of stabbing the captain to cause an accident and praised the "extraordinary bravery" of the pilot, who he said saved the 174 occupants, as well as the passengers who subdued the attacker. He also said it was too early to know if there was Iranian involvement.

While the Israeli authorities described the incident as an "attempted jihadist terrorist attack", the Emirati airline asked to "refrain from any premature speculation."

With EFE, AFP, Reuters and local media

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