Israel was prepared to shoot down FlyDubai plane after attack on captain, sources say

Key Points:

• Israel was prepared to shoot down a FlyDubai plane after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft, despite over 150 Israelis being on board, according to Israeli sources and officials.
• The plane, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, plunged 14,000 feet before the captain fought off the co-pilot and passengers, along with off-duty pilots, regained control and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
• Israel activated a rapid response protocol involving scrambled fighter jets, closure of airspace, and coordination with Saudi jets when the plane diverted toward Saudi Arabia about 400 miles from Israel.
• The protocol for a potential hijacked plane includes visual inspection by fighter pilots, communication with defense leadership, and the possibility of shooting down the aircraft to prevent attacks on high-value targets in Israel, a decision reserved for the prime minister.
• The co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al Hamami, admitted during interrogation that he planned the attack prior to employment and intended to crash the plane at Ben Gurion Airport; he had previously flown to Israel.