Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inAlex Croft & Alexander CornwellWednesday 30 September 2026 12:04 BSTA photo from inside the plane showing a man covered in blood (Israeli media)A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following a violent midair altercation in the cockpit.Reports indicate a pilot allegedly stabbed the co-pilot in an attempted hijacking, causing the Boeing 737 to descend nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds.Passengers and off-duty pilots onboard reportedly subdued the attacker and helped land the aircraft safely, with all passengers confirmed safe.Israeli security agencies, including Mossad and Shin Bet, suspect the incident was an intended act of terror aimed at crashing the plane.Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the situation is under control, with arrangements being made to return around 180 Israeli passengers.In fullIsrael plane ‘hijacking’ latest: Pilot ‘stabbed co-pilot in cockpit’ as aircraft plunges 13,000ftMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in