• Israeli PM Netanyahu commends pilot Smit Machchhar for his bravery after a stabbing incident on Flydubai flight.
• The co-pilot attempted to hijack the flight but was overpowered by passengers and crew.
• All 174 passengers were safely evacuated after an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for his exceptional bravery after he was stabbed by his co-pilot on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the attacker and prevent a potentially catastrophic mid-air disaster, which could have put all 174 lives on board at risk, according to Al Jazeera, BBC, and Reuters.

The incident occurred shortly after the flight took off, resulting in the aircraft experiencing a drastic drop of nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds after the stabbing. Passengers reported that the situation escalated quickly when the co-pilot attacked Machchhar, allegedly with the intent to crash the plane. Witnesses recounted how the pilot's critical action of opening the cockpit door was instrumental in allowing passengers to intervene, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

Netanyahu characterized the incident as a "highly severe security incident," emphasizing the swift response from the passengers and the crew that averted a disaster. Following the landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, all passengers were safely evacuated, though some experienced high levels of emotional distress after the ordeal. Upon landing, they were greeted by medical personnel, and many were visibly shaken but relieved to be safe, according to BBC and Reuters.

The Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed that pilot Machchhar is receiving medical treatment and is currently in stable condition. He had reportedly undergone surgery following the incident. His quick thinking and composure under pressure are being hailed as heroic by officials and fellow passengers alike, highlighting how critical actions can save lives in crisis situations, according to Reuters.