However, Netanyahu claimed that Iran wants to target Israelis both in Israel and abroad
Wednesday’s incident came ahead of the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. It also occurred amid the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran, which began on February 28. Israel and Iran had also fought a 12-day war in June 2025, during which the US intervened militarily in support of its ally Israel. Smit Machchhar, an Indian national piloting flydubai flight FZ 1073 to Tel Aviv, was seriously wounded after his co-pilot, reportedly an Omani national, stabbed him mid-air. Around 180 passengers, most of them Israelis, were on board the flight.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said it is “too early” to determine whether Iran was involved in the failed apparent bid to hijack a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. “Well, it’s too early to say,” Netanyahu told Fox News on Wednesday when asked whether there was any indication of Iranian involvement. Two off-duty flydubai pilots who were travelling on the same flight took control of the aircraft and made an emergency landing at Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk airport, where the plane was diverted, according to the BBC.
Before collapsing, Machchhar managed to alert Israeli authorities and open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the attacker. They were later flown to Tel Aviv on a second aircraft arranged by the UAE-based airline.
Netanyahu, however, claimed that “it’s no secret” that Iran wants to target Israelis both abroad and in Israel. “It’s no secret that Iran wants to target Israelis abroad, wants to target Israel here,” the Israeli premier said. Netanyahu also pointed to “signs” from Tehran’s proxies of plans to carry out attacks in Israel, specifically citing Hamas and Hezbollah ahead of the country’s October 27 elections.
“The attacking pilot is now being investigated in Saudi Arabia. I believe the suspect would be taken to the UAE and that Israel could also participate in the investigation,” he added. “We have clear evidence of that (the alleged plan). But I think that whether or not this was carried out as part of that plan, that we don’t know yet,” he added.
His condition is stable, according to the Indian Embassy. Machchhar is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.