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Snapshot 6:Wed, Sep 30, 2026 8:07:06 PM GMT last edited by Anna-Lisa

Fears of Hijacking Ruled Out After Israel-Bound Plane Lands in Saudi Arabia

Fears of Hijacking Ruled Out After Israel-Bound Plane Lands in Saudi Arabia

Fears of Hijacking Ruled Out After Israel-Bound Plane Lands in Saudi Arabia
Above: Stock image of flydubai plane at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey on Feb. 10. Image credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin


The evidence assessed so far suggests that this was an attempted terror attack that was narrowly avoided thanks to the coincidental presence of a second team of pilots. The actions of this group, along with the Israeli passengers, helped bring the situation under control and protect numerous lives.

It's too early to definitively call this terrorism. Early Israeli readings of the flight data pointed to a pilot suicide attempt, investigators are still weighing multiple motives, and neither flydubai nor Saudi authorities have confirmed Israel's account. This may instead echo the 2015 Germanwings crash, in which a co-pilot deliberately crashed his plane as a result of mental-health failure, not a terror plot.


Metaculus Prediction

There's a 33% chance that Israel and Saudi Arabia will normalize relations during Donald Trump's second presidency, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


Editor's Note

This is a developing story. We are reporting details as they become available and will update this story as new information is confirmed. Some early details may change.
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 7.4.1

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 7.4.1