Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that a Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia was not a kidnapping, according to a spokesperson from his office. The flight, en route from the UAE to Israel, was redirected on Wednesday, with officials stating the incident does not meet the criteria of a kidnapping.
Reports initially suggested the flight may have been hijacked, with some media outlets citing the use of a hijack code. Israeli jets were scrambled in response, raising concerns about security. Netanyahu was reportedly holding emergency consultations to address the situation.
The incident has sparked international attention, with some media outlets reporting that pilots were involved in a struggle onboard. Despite the confusion, Israeli authorities have maintained that the diversion was not an act of kidnapping.
Separate political developments have also emerged, with Irish leaders criticizing Israel’s handling of sports fixtures involving the country. However, these events are unrelated to the flight incident.
