New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said it is too early to determine whether Iran had any involvement in the attack aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, while confirming that Israel will participate in the investigation.
Speaking about the incident, Netanyahu said investigators would first need to establish what happened on board the aircraft before drawing conclusions about any possible involvement by a state actor.
Netanyahu also said he had spoken with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed after the incident. According to him, the UAE has agreed to Israel joining the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flight emergency.
The Flydubai aircraft was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when an incident reportedly occurred inside the cockpit. The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia after emergency signals were activated. The aircraft transmitted the international emergency code 7700 before switching to code 7500, which indicates unlawful interference.
The incident involved Indian captain Smit Machchhar, who was reportedly attacked by his co pilot during the flight. Machchhar was injured in the confrontation but managed to resist the attacker and open the cockpit door.
Crew members and passengers then intervened and helped restrain the attacker, allowing the aircraft to be brought under control. The plane subsequently landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital for treatment following the emergency. His actions during the confrontation have drawn attention in India and Israel, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising his courage and role in preventing a potentially serious incident.
Investigators are now examining the sequence of events inside the cockpit, the motive behind the attack and whether anyone else was involved.
Netanyahu’s remarks leave the question of any Iranian connection unresolved, with no evidence publicly presented so far linking Iran to the incident. The ongoing investigation is expected to determine the circumstances behind the attack and establish whether it was an isolated act or part of a wider plot.
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