Pilot stabbed by co-pilot on Israel-bound flight hailed as hero by Israeli PM

A pilot on a flight bound for Israel was stabbed by a fellow pilot before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker, allowing the aircraft to land safely in Saudi Arabia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, according to the BBC.

Netanyahu described the pilot who was attacked as a hero, crediting the quick action of those on board with preventing a more serious outcome. The incident unfolded during the flight, prompting an emergency diversion that resulted in the plane landing in Saudi Arabia rather than continuing to its intended destination.

Details about the motive behind the attack, the identities of those involved, and the airline operating the flight were not fully specified in initial reporting. Authorities in the region are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing further.

The incident has drawn significant attention given the flight's destination and the dramatic nature of an in-flight attack by one crew member against another. Passengers were reported to be safe following the emergency landing.

Further information is expected as officials release additional details about the investigation and the condition of the injured pilot.