Key facts emerge from the knife attack on a Flydubai flight to Israel

Passenger Yaniv Hayun, later praised by Prime Minister Netanyahu as a hero, said in a video released by the prime minister’s office that he and fellow passengers attempted to reach the cockpit door, but the wounded pilot was positioned directly beside it.

Before losing consciousness, the injured pilot succeeded in opening the door, Hayun recounted.

He added that, once inside, the assailant was attempting to sabotage the flight instruments to incapacitate the aircraft.

Hayun explained that he placed the attacker in a chokehold, dragged him out of the cockpit, and, with the assistance of other passengers, subdued him.

He further stated that he had taken hold of the aircraft’s controls, telling Netanyahu that his familiarity with the Canadian documentary series Air Crash Investigation guided his actions. The plane began to stabilize somewhat, after which another pilot informed him that they were assuming control.

Fellow passenger Zvika Meness informed Israeli public broadcaster Kan News that he and other travelers restrained the assailant using the attacker’s own zip ties and the aircraft’s multimedia headphones.

“There are children and families on board who have endured a deeply traumatic experience,” he added.

Yasmin Abukasis shared with Reuters that her daughter, who was aboard the flight, reported that a knife‑wielding man had shoved a pilot to the floor, leaving blood everywhere.

“The aircraft began to lose control, prompting everyone to scream, fearing they were about to crash,” Abukasis told the Associated Press.

Speaking from Ben Gurion Airport, she said her daughter called her to describe hearing screams after a pilot called for assistance, noting that two other pilots assumed control of the aircraft while other passengers rushed toward the knife‑armed individual.

Almog Itali, another passenger, told journalists that the pilot who landed the plane was British, while the second pilot was European; he did not disclose the latter’s exact nationality.

One female passenger recounted the highly stressful moment when travelers realized the aircraft was descending, stating, “We understood the pilots had lost control,” in an interview with Israel Hayom.

“There are people here whose shirts are stained with blood,” she said, adding, “Now we are safe and eager to return home.”

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