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FlyDubai Co-Pilot Stabs Captain in Israel-Bound Hijack Attempt

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 2:37 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

FlyDubai co-pilot from Oman attempted to hijack an Israel-bound plane, stabbing captain Smit Machchhar.
The aircraft carried 174 passengers and crew during the incident.
The co-pilot posted online messages praising killing Jews and expressing jihadist ideology.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination before the stabbing.
Two off-duty pilots diverted the plane and landed it safely in Saudi Arabia.

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Story summary

FlyDubai co-pilot from Oman attempted to hijack an Israel-bound plane, stabbing captain Smit Machchhar.
The aircraft carried 174 passengers and crew during the incident.
The co-pilot posted online messages praising killing Jews and expressing jihadist ideology.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination before the stabbing.
Two off-duty pilots diverted the plane and landed it safely in Saudi Arabia.