A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying more than 170 passengers, most of them Israelis, was diverted to Saudi Arabia Wednesday morning. Israeli officials describe the incident as an attempted terror attack by the co-pilot.

According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot, an Omani national, stabbed the Emirati captain mid-flight in an apparent attempt to seize control of the aircraft. Flight FZ1073 dropped sharply over northwestern Saudi Arabia and transmitted an emergency “unlawful interference” signal. Israel scrambled Israeli Air Force fighter jets, and Prime Minister Netanyahu convened urgent security consultations.

Passengers described hearing screams from the cockpit and seeing heavy bleeding once it was opened. Israeli passengers helped overpower and restrain the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots who happened to be on board, one Russian and one Ukrainian, took the controls and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport.

The wounded captain is in critical condition. Passengers say an Israeli dentist on board treated him and saved his life.

Flydubai said the aircraft “experienced an incident” and that all passengers are safe. The airline has opened an investigation. Israeli officials say it is still unclear whether the co-pilot intended to hijack the plane or crash it. Saudi authorities are questioning the suspect.

Flydubai is sending a replacement aircraft to bring the passengers home. Israel is also preparing its own recovery flight, pending Saudi approval.

The incident has also raised questions in Israel about how the co-pilot was cleared to fly into the country. According to Israeli journalist Moti Castel, Israeli officials are accusing Flydubai of breaching its agreement with Israel. They say the Omani pilot should never have been permitted on the route, because the arrangement allows only pilots from countries with formal ties to Israel to operate flights there.

Channel 12 separately reported that security officials and the Israel Airports Authority are investigating how approval was granted for the Omani pilot and whether vetting protocols were followed.

Mossad operatives are on the ground in Saudi Arabia, securing the Israeli passengers of the diverted Flydubai flight until a rescue flight arrives, Belaaz has learned.