Netanyahu: Flydubai Pilot Planned to Crash Plane with All Aboard - Sarmad

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the “Flydubai” pilot did not intend merely to take control of the aircraft, but was directly planning to “crash it with everyone on board.”

In a video message, Netanyahu clarified that “the picture becomes clearer over time,” stressing that the attacker had undergone an “Islamic radicalization process” prior to carrying out the attack.

He also noted that the suspect’s immediate objective was to “bring the plane down on its passengers,” which would have resulted in a disaster claiming all lives on board, had it not been for the timely intervention by the crew and passengers.

Netanyahu announced that security agencies are conducting intensive investigations to determine whether the attacker had been “sent” by a specific entity to carry out the operation.

In this regard, Netanyahu warned, “Whoever sent him will pay a heavy price,” signaling Israel’s resolve to pursue any party behind the planning of the attack.

These remarks come as Israeli authorities continue their extensive investigations into the security loopholes that allowed the suspect “Flydubai” pilot to fly toward Tel Aviv, amid an official classification of the incident as a terrorist act targeting civil aviation security.

Israeli airlines were preparing to operate special flights to Dubai to repatriate stranded Israelis, following the suspension of “Flydubai” flights after the incident on Wednesday aboard a flight bound from Dubai to Tel Aviv.