Netanyahu Warns of 'Very Heavy Price' for Any State Behind FlyDubai Hijacking Attempt

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel will exact a "very heavy price" from any foreign state or entity found to have been involved in the recent attack aboard a flydubai flight, though he did not present explicit evidence naming a specific country. Netanyahu addressed the nation after a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. "As time passes, the picture is becoming clearer: The attacker underwent Islamist radicalisation. He came to crash the plane with all passengers on board. We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price," he said. Israeli officials have noted that the co-pilot involved was an Omani national. Regional intelligence and political figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump, have publicly pointed toward potential Iranian ties. Trump said he was "hearing" of possible Iranian involvement and warned Tehran would be hit "very hard" if complicity is established. The mid-air crisis unfolded when the Omani co-pilot stabbed the aircraft's Indian captain in an attempt to crash the flight. The wounded captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty crew members to intervene, subdue the assailant and land the aircraft safely at an airfield in Saudi Arabia. No passengers were killed. Authorities from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United States continue to conduct a joint investigation into the incident.