Netanyahu warns 'very heavy price' if any power behind flydubai incident
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened a severe response against any nation found responsible for a recent attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight. While the attacker was identified as having undergone Islamist radicalization, no specific country has been confirmed as the orchestrator, despite U.S. and Israeli suspicions regarding Iran.
Why it matters
The incident risks escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, potentially triggering military or diplomatic retaliation between Israel, the U.S., and Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Friday (October 2, 2026) that Israel would impose a "very heavy price" on any power behind the flydubai incident, without offering evidence that any country was responsible.
"As time passes, the picture is becoming clearer: The attacker underwent Islamist radicalisation. He came to crash the plane with all passengers on board," Mr. Netanyahu said in a statement.
"We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price," Mr. Netanyahu said of the co-pilot assailant.
Mr. Netanyahu did not identify any country as a potential culprit, but for years has been quick to point the finger at Iran, which Israel and the United States attacked in February.
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