“Based on our initial information, the terrorist [the second pilot] intended to bring down the aircraft together with all passengers,” Gallant said. He added that the disaster was prevented only because several Israeli passengers took action. “They stormed the cockpit, neutralized the terrorist and returned control of the plane to the other flight crew on board,” the minister said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that most passengers on the flight were Israeli. He added that after the emergency landing, Saudi authorities detained the second pilot, and he continues to be questioned.
Earlier, sources within Israeli officials told Reuters anonymously that, according to Israel’s current assessment, the incident was a terror attempt, not a matter of any pilot’s mental health issues.