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Netanyahu to Join Flydubai Co-Pilot Investigation, UAE Agrees

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 6:10 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Netanyahu Joins Investigation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel will join the flydubai co-pilot investigation.
Netanyahu said the Omani suspect is being interrogated in Saudi Arabia and may be transferred to the United Arab Emirates.
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed agreed Israel may join the interrogation.
President Donald Trump cautioned the story was unverified and he could not confirm the passenger’s cockpit actions.

Summary

Israeli Air Force Scrambles

Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets after a flydubai plane transmitted emergency signals, fearing hijacking.
The aircraft first emitted squawk 7700, switched to 7500 for unlawful interference, then reverted to 7700.
Israel temporarily closed its airspace and reopened it after the plane landed safely in Tabuk.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority called the event a security incident that was brought under control.

History

Historical Context

Following the September 11 2001 attacks, the FBI’s PENTTBOM investigation and new U.S. passenger-screening rules exposed that 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi and two were Emirati. The event forged lasting Middle-East intelligence ties, and today Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Saudi officials are jointly questioning an Omani suspect in the flydubai incident, pointing toward a permanent regional counter-terrorism framework.

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Netanyahu Joins Investigation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel will join the flydubai co-pilot investigation.
Netanyahu said the Omani suspect is being interrogated in Saudi Arabia and may be transferred to the United Arab Emirates.
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed agreed Israel may join the interrogation.
President Donald Trump cautioned the story was unverified and he could not confirm the passenger’s cockpit actions.

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