Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that those responsible for an alleged attempt to hijack a flydubai passenger aircraft would face a “very heavy price”, while stopping short of accusing any country of involvement.
Netanyahu said on Friday that investigators believed the co-pilot who allegedly attacked the aircraft’s pilot had undergone Islamist radicalisation and intended to crash the plane with its passengers on board.
“The picture is becoming clearer,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price.”
He did not identify a country or organisation as being behind the incident.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had heard Iran may have been involved and warned that Tehran would be “hit very hard” if that proved to be the case.
Israel and the US have repeatedly accused Iran of supporting or being linked to attacks beyond its borders. Tehran has denied such allegations.
The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. Israeli officials and witnesses said the co-pilot, reportedly an Omani national, attacked and stabbed the Indian pilot during the flight.
The pilot subsequently allowed passengers into the cockpit, enabling them to help restrain the attacker, according to Israeli officials and witnesses.
The aircraft was diverted and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. No deaths were reported.
Netanyahu had previously said the co-pilot was from Oman and had not ruled out the possibility that he was experiencing mental health problems.
The latest comments came as Israeli authorities continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and whether the suspect acted alone or was directed by another person or organisation.
