Netanyahu praises stabbed Indian pilot as Flydubai halts Israel flights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a pilot stabbed aboard a FlyDubai flight a hero, naming him as Captain Smit Machchhar and thanking him for saving the lives of 174 people on board a flight bound for Tel Aviv, according to Al Jazeera.

Following the incident, FlyDubai halted flights to Israel, a decision that reflects the severity of the security concerns raised by the attack. The stabbing occurred when a fellow pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar during the flight, prompting intervention from passengers and crew that allowed the aircraft to land safely.

Netanyahu's public praise for Machchhar, an Indian national, underscores the international dimension of the incident, which has drawn attention from officials beyond Israel alone. Al Jazeera's report did not provide additional detail on Machchhar's condition following the attack or the specific circumstances that led to it.

FlyDubai's suspension of flights to Israel is likely to affect passengers who had booked travel on the route, though the airline has not indicated how long the halt will remain in place.

Further updates on the investigation into the incident and the resumption of flights are expected in the coming days.