Netanyahu reveals the identity of the “true hero” on the “Fly Dubai” flight

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the identity of the pilot who was stabbed on board a Fly Dubai flight, explaining that he is from India and is called Smit Machhar. Netanyahu praised the plane's pilot and said he was a "true hero," noting that he showed "exceptional courage" and saved the lives of 174 people.

He wrote on the The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced, in a statement on Wednesday, that Flydubai flight FZ1073, heading from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, witnessed a security incident that was brought under control, which required the plane to be diverted and make an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The statement continued: “The accident resulted in injuries to some of the plane’s crew, and they were transferred to the hospital to receive the necessary care in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The authority confirms that the safety and security of passengers and crew members is its top priority.” The authority explained that “the teams responsible for the investigation in the authority, in coordination with the relevant authorities, are continuing the investigation work to determine the causes and circumstances of the incident, including reviewing the operational and security aspects.”