Netanyahu Reveals the Identity of the "Real Hero" on the Fly Dubai Flight

- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Wednesday the identity of the pilot who was stabbed on board the "Fly Dubai" flight, stating that he is from India and is named Smit Machhar. Netanyahu praised the captain of the plane, calling him the "real hero," and noted that he showed "extraordinary courage" and saved the lives of 174 people.

He wrote on the X platform: "Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back and opened the cockpit door, allowing the passengers and crew to subdue the attacker, thus preventing a horrific aviation disaster." The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority announced in a statement on Wednesday that Fly Dubai flight FZ1073, heading from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, experienced a security incident that was brought under control, necessitating the diversion of the aircraft and an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

The statement continued: "The incident resulted in injuries to some crew members, who were transported to the hospital for necessary care in Saudi Arabia, and the authority confirms that the safety and security of passengers and crew members are its top priorities." The authority clarified that "the teams responsible for the investigation are continuing their work in coordination with the relevant authorities to determine the causes and circumstances of the incident, including reviewing operational and security aspects."