A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was unexpectedly diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning after one pilot allegedly stabbed the other and attempted to crash the aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the incident, stating that a passenger and crew member intervened to overpower the assailant.

Flight FZ1073 took off from Dubai International Airport early Wednesday. Approximately two hours into the journey, tracking data showed the plane experienced a sudden and rapid descent of over 17,000 feet in less than two minutes while over Saudi Arabia. The aircraft then signaled an emergency alert.

Following the emergency signal, the plane, which was en route to Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel, altered its course and landed at Tabuk Airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia. Initial reports from passengers speaking to local media described a violent incident occurring within the cockpit.

Netanyahu stated that an Israeli passenger reported the plane went into a spin before the passenger and a crew member entered the cockpit and subdued the pilot responsible for the stabbing. The suspect pilot was arrested and is currently being questioned by Saudi authorities. The injured pilots were taken to a local hospital, though the nature of their injuries was not specified.

Flydubai confirmed an "altercation" occurred in the flight deck, assuring that all passengers were safe and accounted for. The flight was carrying at least 150 people, with Netanyahu noting that almost all passengers were Israeli citizens. The airline has not provided further details on the cause of the incident or the identities of those involved.

While initial reports cited Israeli officials suggesting a fight between pilots, Netanyahu's statement provided a more specific account of a stabbing and an attempted crash. The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, labeled the event an "attempted jihadist terror attack," though official statements from police or investigators regarding the motive or classification are pending.

Passenger accounts, shared with various media outlets, painted a picture of fear and confusion onboard. One passenger described seeing "blood everywhere" during the diversion. The BBC has not independently verified these passenger testimonies.

The incident has raised significant security concerns, particularly given the direct flight path and the nationality of the passengers. The diversion to Saudi Arabia, a country with which Israel does not have formal diplomatic relations, added another layer of complexity to the unfolding situation. Further investigations by Saudi authorities are expected to shed light on the precise sequence of events and the pilot's motive.