Israel scrambled jets over flydubai flight after cockpit attack, CBS News report says

A flydubai plane parked at Dubai airport. PICS/AFP

Israel scrambled fighter jets and stood ready to shoot down the flydubai plane if it had pressed on towards Tel Aviv in the wake of a cockpit stabbing attack, a CBS News report said. Flight 1073 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar.

The jet then lost 16,000 feet of altitude in just over 30 seconds, sparking fears inside Israel that the incident could amount to a hijacking or an attack at the country. Israeli Air Force personnel attempted to reach the cockpit but received no answer. A pre-set emergency system was engaged, a command centre was formed and Israeli airspace was sealed while fighter jets were scrambled.

Iran responsible for attack: Trump

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he "personally" believes Iran was responsible for the terrorist attack carried out by an Omani co-pilot aboard a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. "I do. I personally do," Trump said when asked whether he believed Iran was responsible for the attack on the flydubai flight. He was responding to media queries on the White House premises.

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