Feed aggregator

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a sweeping new round of changes to the U.S. military Wednesday, ordering an overall 20% reduction in general and admiral positions while unveiling a new four-star command devoted to drones, robotics and autonomous warfare.

The move doubles the 10% overall reduction in general and flag officer positions Hegseth ordered last year and is expected to affect positions across the Army, Navy, Air Force and joint military structure. Some posts are expected to disappear entirely, while others could be downgraded so that they no longer require a general or admiral. The services have been directed to complete the reductions by Jan. 1, 2027.

Hegseth announced the changes during his “State of the Force” address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, where he spoke before junior officers and enlisted leaders. It was the second consecutive year that he delivered such an address, an event that is not traditionally part of the Pentagon chief’s annual schedule.

The Pentagon chief framed the reduction in senior officers as part of his effort to flatten the military bureaucracy and place more resources and authority closer to troops in the field.

“I call it accountability and long overdue,” he said.

There are roughly 800 general and flag officer positions across the military, though not every authorized position is necessarily filled at any given time. Generals and admirals represent only a tiny fraction of the overall force. Hegseth has previously described his effort as a “less generals, more GIs” approach, arguing that excessive layers of senior leadership can create unnecessary bureaucracy.

The reductions are part of a much broader transformation Hegseth has pursued since taking charge of the Pentagon under President Trump. His tenure has included the removal or departure of numerous senior military leaders as well as changes to diversity programs, physical standards, grooming policies and other personnel rules that Hegseth has argued distracted the armed forces from combat readiness. Critics have disputed that characterization and questioned whether some of the personnel changes have been politically driven.

Hegseth’s Quantico address came as the U.S. military remains heavily engaged overseas, including in the ongoing war with Iran. American forces have expended large quantities of interceptors defending U.S. personnel and allies against Iranian missiles and drones, while Tehran has retained the ability to threaten military and commercial shipping around the Strait of Hormuz.

Alongside the leadership cuts, Hegseth announced one of the Pentagon’s most ambitious attempts yet to reorganize around the rapidly changing nature of warfare: a new four-star Autonomous Warfare Command, or AUTOWARCOM. The organization is intended to accelerate the military’s development and deployment of drones, robotics and other autonomous systems across the armed forces.

Hegseth described the effort as “the fastest peacetime shift in modern military history.”

The Pentagon plans to take an interim step through “Project Agincourt,” which will help develop the organizational and acquisition structure for the future command. Hegseth’s goal is to establish AUTOWARCOM by October 2027, although creating a command with the authorities envisioned by the Pentagon is expected to require congressional involvement.

The announcement comes amid growing recognition inside the Pentagon that inexpensive drones and autonomous systems have transformed modern battlefields. The war in Ukraine in particular has demonstrated how rapidly forces can modify and deploy unmanned systems and how comparatively inexpensive drones can destroy or disable far more costly military equipment.

The Pentagon’s renewed emphasis on drones follows controversy over an Army unit in Europe specializing in drone warfare that was directed to return to a traditional infantry role. A bipartisan group of lawmakers subsequently demanded answers from the Army, arguing that the military should be expanding rather than abandoning efforts to master technology that has become central to modern combat.

Hegseth also used Wednesday’s address to highlight the Trump administration’s push to dramatically expand American weapons production. The Iran war has intensified longstanding concerns about whether the U.S. defense industrial base can manufacture missiles, interceptors and other weapons quickly enough to replace systems being consumed in combat.

Some military analysts have estimated that replenishing inventories of certain heavily used weapons could take years at existing production rates, adding urgency to the administration’s pressure on defense contractors to expand manufacturing capacity.

Hegseth also repeated his assessment of the damage inflicted on Iran’s military during the conflict, pointing to the destruction of Iranian naval, air-defense and other military capabilities. Iran, however, has continued intermittent missile and drone attacks and retains capabilities that can threaten American and allied forces in the region.

Beyond drones and personnel reductions, Hegseth announced several additional Pentagon initiatives. Among them is Project Meridian, a group that will examine the future of warfare and identify emerging technologies and capabilities the U.S. military will need. Elon Musk, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich are slated to help lead the effort, with a report due in January 2027.

Another initiative, dubbed “FORTRESS America,” calls for major U.S. military installations to develop the ability to generate their own power independently of the civilian electrical grid. Hegseth also announced a competition among states for the location of a new major military base, an expanded military-college initiative and a new Office of Religious Affairs intended to provide chaplains with a direct avenue to Pentagon leadership.

The proposed reduction in generals and admirals has already triggered debate on Capitol Hill. Supporters of trimming the upper ranks argue that a leaner command structure could reduce bureaucracy and push decision-making downward, while critics warn that eliminating too many senior positions could cost the military decades of accumulated experience.

Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a Democrat who previously served as a Navy combat pilot and NASA astronaut, sharply criticized Hegseth’s approach.

“He’s got some kind of like deep-seated grievance about leadership in the military,” said Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a former Navy combat pilot and NASA astronaut, who has been critical of Hegseth. “He’s purging a generation of great leaders of the military, and it’s going to take a generation to recover from it.”

Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, took a more cautious position, saying he wanted to examine exactly how the Pentagon intends to carry out the reduction before reaching a conclusion.

“If it’s simply a matter of eliminating a very heavy top, there may be some validity to it, but I want to see it first,” Rounds said.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli security officials are investigating whether the Omani co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the captain of a flydubai flight on Wednesday intended to seize complete control of the aircraft while it was over Jordan and then deliberately crash the passenger jet at high speed inside Israel. The theory is one of several being examined and has not yet been established as the attacker’s actual plan.

The new line of investigation comes as Israeli security agencies intensify their examination of the attempted takeover of flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv when violence erupted in the cockpit.

The aircraft was flying through Jordanian airspace and approaching Israel when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, an experienced Indian pilot, stabbing him during a struggle for control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

The jet subsequently plunged thousands of feet, at one point losing roughly half its cruising altitude in less than two minutes. Emergency transponder codes were transmitted from the cockpit, including 7500, the international signal for hijacking or unlawful interference.
The incident triggered an immediate Israeli security response, including the scrambling of fighter jets amid fears that the aircraft had been hijacked and could pose a threat as it approached Israeli airspace.

Passengers and crew members ultimately forced their way into the cockpit and subdued the alleged attacker. Other pilots who were traveling aboard the flight then helped stabilize the aircraft and divert it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Saudi authorities took the suspected attacker into custody and are questioning him as investigators seek to determine his motive, whether he acted alone and whether any state or terrorist organization was involved.

The possibility now being examined by Israeli officials is particularly alarming: that the co-pilot intended to wait until the aircraft was over Jordan, take control of the plane and continue toward Israel before deliberately crashing it on Israeli territory.
No evidence establishing that scenario as fact has yet been made public, and flydubai has said that the underlying reasons and motive behind the cockpit incident remain subject to a formal investigation.

The episode is also drawing new attention to a security dispute that had been unfolding for months before Wednesday’s attack.

According to a Channel 12 report, Shin Bet Director David Zini had repeatedly warned that existing security arrangements involving flights from the United Arab Emirates were inadequate.

The Shin Bet and Israeli airlines had been locked in a significant dispute in recent months over restrictions preventing Israeli carriers from operating flights to Dubai because security requirements had not been resolved.

The Shin Bet extended the restriction on Israeli airlines flying to the UAE through the end of October amid heightened regional tensions and concerns involving Iran. El Al, Arkia and Israir consequently remained off the route even as Emirati carriers continued flying between the two countries.

Security officials say Zini resisted considerable pressure to relax the restrictions, maintaining that Israeli carriers should not resume UAE service until additional safeguards were put in place.

The security concerns that prompted those restrictions were not necessarily focused on a rogue pilot attempting to commandeer an aircraft. Intelligence assessments had concentrated more heavily on other potential threats, including missile attacks, attacks against airports and threats to aircraft while on the ground.

A scenario in which a credentialed commercial pilot already inside the cockpit would allegedly attempt to seize and deliberately crash an Israel-bound passenger aircraft had not been a central feature of the security discussions.

The division of responsibility surrounding the route is also receiving renewed scrutiny. The Shin Bet is responsible for security arrangements involving Israeli airlines, while the Mossad plays a central role in preventing threats to foreign carriers operating abroad.
Because flydubai is an Emirati airline, the security structure surrounding its operations differs substantially from that governing El Al and other Israeli carriers.

The incident has therefore raised difficult questions about how Israel can protect passengers on foreign airlines when it does not exercise the same control over recruitment, vetting and security procedures for foreign flight crews.

Israeli authorities are examining the background of the alleged attacker, how an Omani national came to be assigned to an Israel-bound flight, and whether there were warning signs that could have been detected beforehand.

The case has also prompted questions about whether the attack was specifically intended to damage the relationship between Israel and the UAE. Israeli diplomatic officials have raised the possibility that an Emirati airline was deliberately chosen because direct flights between the two countries have become one of the most visible symbols of the Abraham Accords.

Investigators have not established whether the alleged attacker had organizational backing. Saudi authorities are continuing to interrogate him, while Israel is awaiting information from the investigation.

Israeli officials are simultaneously examining the possibility of Iranian involvement or assistance from an Iranian proxy, though no evidence publicly released thus far has established such a connection.

{Matzav.com}

IRAN BEHIND THE COCKPIT ATTACK? Zvi Yechezkeli Says Sophistication of Flydubai Plot Raises Possibility of State-Backed Operation
The dramatic attempt by an Omani co-pilot to seize control of a flydubai jet carrying Israelis may have involved planning by a state actor, potentially Iran or one of its proxies, according to veteran Arab affairs analyst Zvi Yechezkeli, who says the sophistication required to place a recruited pilot inside the cockpit raises troubling questions far beyond Wednesday’s attack.
‌
Yechezkeli, an i24NEWS Arab affairs analyst who previously worked in airline security, stressed that the possibility of Iranian involvement remains an assessment rather than an established finding. The motive of the co-pilot and whether he acted alone were still under investigation Wednesday night, with no public evidence yet tying Tehran or any terrorist organization to the incident.
‌
Still, Yechezkeli argued that the circumstances aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 — and particularly the alleged recruitment of a commercial pilot in a position to take control of an aircraft carrying Israelis — bear the hallmarks of a sophisticated operation.
‌
“Although Israel’s aviation security apparatus is known for how tightly it seals security vulnerabilities, there is no doubt that something happened here that constituted a security breach, and that it was exploited by a state,” Yechezkeli said.
‌
“This is not the kind of thing a terrorist organization thinks up. Convincing a pilot, recruiting him to go against the prevailing trend, and getting him onto a flight with Israelis requires planning, and it is quite possible that Iran or its proxies are behind this. This was a very significant operation.”
‌
The extraordinary incident unfolded Wednesday aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Israeli officials identified the suspected attacker as an Omani national serving as the flight’s co-pilot.
‌
The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and veteran commercial pilot, during a violent confrontation inside the cockpit. Israeli officials said they were investigating indications that the attacker then attempted to deliberately bring down the Boeing 737 MAX 8.
‌
The aircraft plunged thousands of feet during the confrontation. Flight-tracking data showed an exceptionally rapid descent, while the plane transmitted emergency transponder codes including 7700, signaling a general emergency, and 7500, the international code for unlawful interference or hijacking.
‌
Passengers and crew members ultimately intervened, overpowering the alleged attacker after Machchhar, despite being seriously wounded, managed to resist him and open the cockpit.
‌
Additional pilots who were aboard the flight were then able to help take control of the aircraft, which was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
‌
The suspected attacker was taken into Saudi custody, while Machchhar was hospitalized for his wounds. The precise motive remained under investigation Wednesday night.
‌
Israeli security officials were examining the possibility of a terrorist motive and whether the co-pilot acted alone or had outside assistance. There had been no official finding connecting him to Iran or any Iranian proxy.
‌
For Yechezkeli, however, the incident exposed what he described as a potentially serious gap in the elaborate security system surrounding commercial aviation to Israel: the people actually sitting at the controls.
‌
“This is something that until now has not received enough attention,” he said. “It must be remembered that Arab destinations, such as Dubai, are a significant headache for the security establishment.”
‌
The Dubai-Tel Aviv route has become an important aviation link since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates under the Abraham Accords. Flydubai continued operating flights to Israel through periods when numerous international airlines suspended service because of the regional security situation.
‌
The nationality of the alleged attacker has also drawn scrutiny. Oman does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, raising questions in Israel about the screening and assignment of foreign flight crews operating services into Ben Gurion Airport.
‌
Reports indicated that Israeli authorities were examining how the Omani co-pilot came to be assigned to an Israel-bound flight and whether existing procedures provide adequate scrutiny of pilots flying such routes.
‌
Yechezkeli said the problem presents an unusual challenge because conventional aviation security is largely designed to stop hostile passengers or outside attackers from gaining access to an aircraft. A pilot who has already been vetted by an airline and legitimately occupies the cockpit presents a very different threat.
‌
“Today we realized that there are pilots whose company stands behind them, but there is no way of knowing what is going through their minds. I don’t want to think about what could happen with European pilots who support the Palestinians and might do similar things. This is a security vulnerability that needs to be closed.”
‌
The incident immediately prompted Israeli authorities to reassess security procedures involving foreign pilots flying into the country, as investigators worked to determine whether Wednesday’s attack was an isolated act or part of a wider plot.
‌
The incident has drawn particular attention because Israel has spent decades developing extensive aviation-security procedures, largely as a result of the wave of hijackings and attacks targeting Israeli and Jewish aviation beginning in the late 1960s and 1970s.
‌
Yechezkeli said the events aboard FZ1073 demonstrate that even an elaborate security system can face a threat when the potential attacker is already inside the cockpit as a credentialed member of the flight crew.
‌
“Generally, pilots at Arab airlines are those who have left European airlines and come to the Middle East,” he said.
‌
“Israel has led the field of aviation security since the 1970s and has closed all the vulnerabilities; it will have to close this vulnerability as well.”

Flydubai service to and from Israel will be suspended for six days beginning Thursday following the dramatic cockpit attack aboard a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, as Israeli and Emirati authorities reassess security arrangements and investigators work to determine whether the alleged attacker acted alone or as part of a broader plot.
‌
During the suspension, arrangements are being made for secured Israeli aircraft to provide replacement service. The six-day halt was coordinated between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, including discussions at the highest levels of the two governments.
‌
The decision follows Wednesday’s extraordinary incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when an Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit.
‌
According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot stabbed Machchhar and then attempted to bring down the Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying Israelis and other passengers. The aircraft went into a rapid descent before passengers and crew members intervened and subdued the alleged attacker.
‌
The plane transmitted emergency codes during the crisis, including 7500, the international transponder code indicating hijacking or unlawful interference, prompting an immediate security response as the aircraft changed course.
‌
Machchhar, despite being wounded, reportedly fought back and helped enable others to gain access to the cockpit. Additional pilots traveling aboard the flight subsequently helped regain control of the aircraft.
‌
The plane was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The alleged attacker was taken into Saudi custody, while Machchhar received medical treatment for his wounds.
‌
Saudi authorities are continuing to question the co-pilot as investigators attempt to establish his motive and determine whether he acted independently or had connections to a hostile state or terrorist organization.
‌
No public evidence had emerged Wednesday night establishing that the co-pilot was acting on behalf of Iran, an Iranian proxy or any other organization. Israeli authorities were nevertheless examining whether outside parties were involved.
‌
Israeli diplomatic officials have raised the possibility that the choice of an Emirati airline was deliberate and intended to strike at one of the most visible symbols of the Abraham Accords: the direct aviation link between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
‌
Flydubai began regular Tel Aviv service shortly after Israel and the UAE normalized relations in 2020 and has since become one of the most important foreign airlines operating at Ben Gurion Airport.
‌
The airline also continued serving Israel during periods of war and heightened regional tensions when many major international carriers canceled their flights, making Wednesday’s incident particularly significant for aviation ties between the two countries.
‌
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu spoke with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed following the attack, with the two leaders discussing security arrangements for flights operating between their countries.
‌
Israeli authorities are now reviewing security procedures involving foreign flight crews operating routes into Israel, with particular attention being paid to how pilots assigned to Israel-bound flights are screened.
‌
The government is also concerned about the possibility of copycat attacks following the extraordinary events aboard FZ1073, and security precautions involving Israeli aviation and other potential targets have been increased around the world.
‌
The investigation is now focused heavily on the background of the Omani co-pilot, how he came to be assigned to a flight bound for Israel and whether there were any warning signs before Wednesday’s flight.
‌
For now, the immediate result is a six-day interruption of one of the most important aviation links created by the Abraham Accords, with secured Israeli aircraft expected to fill the gap while Israel, the UAE and Saudi authorities work to determine exactly what happened aboard FZ1073 and whether the attack was part of something larger.

The Flydubai captain who was stabbed during an apparent attempt by his co-pilot to seize control of a Tel Aviv-bound passenger jet has been identified as Captain Smit Machchhar, a veteran Indian aviator with roughly 15 years of commercial flying experience and nearly 10,000 documented hours aboard Boeing 737 aircraft.
‌
Machchhar was commanding flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when a violent confrontation erupted inside the cockpit. Israeli officials say the Omani co-pilot stabbed Machchhar and apparently attempted to crash the Boeing 737 MAX 8 before passengers and other crew members managed to overpower him. Saudi authorities subsequently arrested the alleged attacker.
‌
Despite suffering serious stab wounds, Machchhar reportedly fought back and succeeded in opening the cockpit door, allowing others aboard the aircraft to intervene as the jet went into a terrifying uncontrolled descent.
‌
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft suddenly plunging from its cruising altitude, losing more than 14,000 feet in approximately 37 seconds. Other tracking data indicated that during the broader sequence, the plane fell from roughly 34,000 feet to about 17,000 feet in under a minute while its speed surged dramatically.
‌
The aircraft initially transmitted the international 7700 general emergency code before later transmitting 7500, the transponder code used to signal a hijacking or unlawful interference aboard an aircraft.
‌
Machchhar, an Indian national based in Dubai, joined flydubai in June 2022 as a captain on the airline’s Boeing 737 fleet. Before moving to the Emirati carrier, he spent approximately 11 years flying for Indian low-cost airline SpiceJet.
‌
His professional record shows extensive experience with the Boeing 737-800 as well as the newer 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft.
‌
Machchhar’s publicly available professional profile lists approximately 9,750 hours on Boeing 737 aircraft. Given the additional years he has spent flying since those figures were recorded, reports have estimated that he has now surpassed 10,000 total flight hours.
‌
During his years at SpiceJet, Machchhar accumulated more than 9,500 hours of flight time, including more than 6,400 hours as pilot in command.
‌
His responsibilities extended beyond simply flying scheduled passenger services. Machchhar served as a training captain, training and mentoring other pilots and conducting checks of flight crews.
‌
That extensive cockpit experience became critical Wednesday morning as the situation aboard FZ1073 deteriorated with extraordinary speed.
‌
Israeli passengers described a chaotic struggle after the captain was stabbed and the aircraft began dropping sharply.
‌
One of the Israelis who helped overpower the alleged attacker described how passengers improvised with whatever they could find inside the cabin.
‌
“We neutralized him, the terrorist, using headphones, and a doctor who was on the flight helped the main pilot and stabilized him. It was insane.”
‌
Passengers said two additional pilots who happened to be traveling aboard the flight were able to enter the cockpit after the attacker was subdued and assume control of the aircraft.
‌
The plane was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
‌
The aircraft’s tail sustained damage during the rapid and severe descent.
‌
Machchhar was taken for medical treatment following the emergency landing. Reports indicated that he underwent surgery and was in stable condition.
‌
The passengers were subsequently brought back to Israel.
‌
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu personally praised Machchhar following the incident, calling the Indian captain a “hero.”
‌
“My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery,” Netanyahu said. “Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker – preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.”
‌
“I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero,” he stated.
‌
Netanyahu also met with one of the Israeli passengers who helped overpower the attacker after the group returned to Israel, praising the passenger for his actions aboard the aircraft.
‌
The incident has also produced significant repercussions for flydubai’s Israel operations. The airline’s service to Israel was suspended for six days following the attempted attack while security arrangements and the circumstances surrounding the incident are examined.
‌
Flydubai has been one of the most significant foreign carriers serving Israel since the Abraham Accords, continuing to operate during periods when numerous international airlines suspended service because of regional security concerns.
‌
The circumstances surrounding the co-pilot’s alleged actions remain under investigation, including the motive behind the attack and how the confrontation inside the cockpit developed.
‌
Machchhar, meanwhile, entered Wednesday’s flight with approximately 15 years in commercial aviation, thousands of hours commanding Boeing 737 aircraft and experience training other pilots — a professional background that proved critical when the routine flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv suddenly became a fight to prevent a midair catastrophe.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu met at Ben Gurion Airport with one of the Israeli passengers who helped overpower the suspected attacker aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, praising him as a hero after the passenger described how he personally grabbed the aircraft’s controls and helped stop its terrifying plunge.

The emotional encounter took place following the return of the 174 passengers to Israel after their ordeal aboard the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight and subsequent emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Still wearing clothing stained with blood from the violent confrontation aboard the plane, the passenger immediately apologized to Netanyahu for his appearance.

“I apologize that I have blood on my clothes. I asked ten times for the suitcases so I could change my clothes before the meeting,” he said upon seeing Netanyahu.
Netanyahu immediately dismissed the apology and praised the passenger for his actions aboard the aircraft.

“You don’t need to apologize. You’re the hero. We are a nation of lions, a nation that rises like a lion. I look at you and I see a lion, and I see a tremendous hero. What you did is simply unbelievable.”

The passenger told Netanyahu that the experience had left him deeply shaken and that returning to normal would not happen quickly.

“It will take a long time to recover,” he said.

Recalling the terrifying moments aboard the aircraft, he described how suddenly the situation changed inside the cabin.

“The lights went out and a woman screamed.”

He then recounted the extraordinary action he said he took as the aircraft was plunging downward, explaining that he grabbed the controls and pulled them upward in an effort to stop the dive.

“I pulled the controls up and stopped the plane’s dive. Good thing I watched ‘Air Crash Investigation,’” he said, referring to the television series examining aviation disasters.
The passenger was among several Israelis who rushed into action after a violent confrontation erupted in the cockpit of FZ1073.

According to Israeli officials and passenger accounts, the copilot stabbed the captain and apparently attempted to bring down the aircraft. Passengers and other crew members forced their way into the cockpit and overpowered the alleged attacker as the plane rapidly lost altitude.

Flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft dropped approximately 14,000 feet during the emergency, while passengers described screaming, being thrown around the cabin and believing they were moments away from death.

Other qualified pilots aboard the flight subsequently helped take control of the aircraft, while a doctor and other medically trained passengers treated the badly wounded captain.

The plane ultimately made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the suspected attacker was taken into custody and the wounded captain was transported for medical treatment.

After spending hours in Saudi Arabia, the 174 passengers returned to Israel aboard a replacement Flydubai aircraft whose crew had been vetted and approved by the Mossad.
For Netanyahu, however, the meeting at Ben Gurion focused on the actions of the passengers who stepped forward during the crisis — including the bloodstained Israeli standing before him who, according to his account, went from being an ordinary passenger to physically pulling back on the controls of a diving airliner.

{Matzav.com}

Passengers who survived the suspected terror attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 described scenes of sheer terror after returning to Israel Wednesday evening, recounting how the aircraft suddenly plunged toward the ground as screaming passengers became convinced they were about to die.

All 174 passengers ultimately returned to Israel aboard a replacement Flydubai flight following hours in Saudi Arabia, where their original aircraft had made an emergency landing after the violent cockpit incident.

After the replacement flight landed at Ben Gurion Airport, Magen David Adom personnel treated the arriving passengers. A man in his 50s who suffered a minor upper-body injury was transported in light condition to Shamir Medical Center, formerly Assaf Harofeh.

The remaining passengers did not require hospitalization.

One woman aboard the flight described the extraordinary emotions among the passengers when they finally touched down safely in Israel.

“Everyone here is on an unbelievable high. People are incredibly excited. People were in tears, and we cried from happiness when we landed. I never imagined this would happen to me. We didn’t think we would manage to land. It was a miracle. Baruch Hashem.”

She said the moments during which the original aircraft suddenly lost altitude unfolded so rapidly that passengers barely had time to process what was happening.

“We felt the plane falling at incredible speed, with everyone screaming in terror. We didn’t have time to think or talk or breathe. It was seconds,” she recalled.

“We were sure we would all die. I sent farewell messages to our parents. It was unbelievably frightening.”

Flight-tracking data showed that FZ1073 lost approximately 14,000 feet of altitude in an extremely short period during the cockpit emergency, as passengers reported being thrown around the cabin.

Among those who intervened was Musayev Shota, a doctor who said he joined three other Israelis in confronting the copilot accused of stabbing the captain.

“The pilot was very badly injured, with very heavy bleeding from his head and hands. He was in very serious condition. I was the only doctor on the plane. I managed to stop the blood and the bleeding stopped completely. His condition was fairly stable, but at the last moment it deteriorated somewhat. Right when we landed.”

The doctor said the passengers were also forced to physically overpower and restrain the suspected attacker as the crisis unfolded.

“We took control of the terrorist and tied him up, and of course it was difficult, but we succeeded. There were four of us here who took control of the entire situation, and if not for that, we wouldn’t be speaking with you.”

The passengers’ accounts add further detail to the extraordinary events aboard the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, during which Israeli officials say the copilot stabbed the captain and apparently attempted to bring down the aircraft.

Passengers and crew members forced their way into the cockpit and subdued the alleged attacker.

Qualified pilots aboard the flight then took control of the aircraft, while medical professionals among the passengers treated the wounded captain until the plane could make its emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

After hours on Saudi soil, some passengers initially refused to board another Flydubai aircraft because of what they had just endured.

All 174 ultimately agreed to fly home after the Mossad vetted and approved the replacement crew.

Their arrival at Ben Gurion Airport brought an end to an ordeal that several of those aboard said they were convinced they would not survive.

{Matzav.com}

A cherished tradition of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin continued last night as the yeshiva held its annual Simchas Bais Hashoeivah, highlighted by a maamar delivered by the rosh yeshiva, Rav Tzvi Fink, in the presence of rabbonim, talmidim, bnei yeshiva and distinguished guests.

The gathering was held in the sukkah at the former building of Congregation Gvul Yaavetz, located directly across from the yeshiva in Brooklyn, the building of Rav Dovid Cohen’s shul now owned by the yeshiva.

At the center of the evening was the maamar delivered by Rav Fink, continuing the yeshiva’s longstanding practice of marking the Simchas Bais Hashoeivah with words of Torah and machshavah. Seated alongside Rav Fink was his fellow rosh yeshiva, Rav Yosef Haliou.

Among the special guests who attended the maamar was Rav Yaakov Bender, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, who joined the Chaim Berlin roshei yeshiva and the assembled bnei yeshiva for the occasion.

The gathering reflected the distinctive character of Chaim Berlin, where the Simchas Bais Hashoeivah has traditionally been far more than a festive Chol Hamoed event. The evening has served as an opportunity for generations of talmidim to gather around their roshei yeshiva, hear a substantive maamar and experience the simchas Yom Tov through the yeshiva’s particular mesorah of Torah, machshavah and avodah.

For longtime talmidim of the yeshiva, the scene itself carried particular meaning. The faces at the front have changed with the passing of generations, but the essential image remains familiar: a crowded sukkah on Chol Hamoed, talmidim gathered closely together, and the rosh yeshiva sharing a maamar intended to illuminate the deeper meaning of the Yom Tov.

WATCH (courtesy of Sparks of a Nation):

{Matzav.com}

A dramatic directive was issued Wednesday from the home of the Gerer Rebbe warning thousands of Gerer chassidim against listening to, discussing or retaining recordings that have circulated in recent days, with the Rebbe instructing that anyone possessing the material must delete it immediately.

The message was delivered in an audio recording by Rav Yitzchok Broida, secretary to the Gerer Rebbe, who said he was speaking explicitly on the Rebbe’s instructions.

The recordings in question have reportedly spread through social media and messaging groups in recent days and have become a major topic of conversation within Ger. Discussion surrounding the material reportedly moved well beyond online groups and into conversations at Yom Tov seudos and in the homes of chassidim, prompting the unusual public directive.

In the message sent to the phones of tens of thousands of Gerer chassidim, Rav Broida said in the name of the Rebbe:

“I was instructed to inform the members of our community, in his name and on his behalf, that in recent days, matters have been improperly publicized which, aside from involving prohibitions established by earlier authorities, also constitute defamation, machlokes and the spreading of discord. Speaking and writing about these matters, and involving oneself in them, causes tremendous pain, and regarding such matters the poskim have written that even one who does so inadvertently requires atonement.”

Rav Broida then addressed the recordings themselves and issued an unequivocal instruction regarding anyone who has received or retained them.

“Therefore, it is necessary to awaken and warn the public not to believe any of these matters whatsoever, and never to involve oneself in or discuss this matter at all. Everyone must understand that this is extremely serious and dangerous, and anyone who possesses any of these materials in any form is obligated to delete them and destroy them from the world immediately, without relying on any purported permission whatsoever.”

The message concluded with an appeal for unity during Yom Tov.

“Let us strengthen ourselves in unity and in looking favorably upon one another, particularly during these holy days of Yom Tov. Let us all rejoice as one person with one heart, with love and brotherhood, and may Hashem spread His sukkah of peace over us and bestow upon us only goodness and kindness all our days.”

The unusually forceful message comes as the Gerer Rebbe has not been attending tefillos publicly during Chol Hamoed and has not been receiving visitors due to weakness.

Within Ger, there is hope that, b’ezras Hashem, the Rebbe will be able to emerge publicly for Simchas Torah and participate in the Yom Tov proceedings as in previous years.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] A BBC presenter made an eyebrow-raising on-air mistake Wednesday while covering the suspected attack aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Israel, repeatedly referring to Ben Gurion Airport as “Ben Gvir Airport” — apparently confusing Israel’s main international airport with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

The slip came as the BBC was reporting on the dramatic events aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which had been traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv before a violent cockpit confrontation forced the aircraft to divert to Saudi Arabia.

“Two pilots who sat at the back of the plane helped land the aircraft after this altercation and this plane should have landed at Ben Gvir Airport, which we continue to monitor t was indeed diverted to Saudi Arabia,” the presenter stated.

The airport is, of course, Ben Gurion International Airport, named for David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister. Itamar Ben Gvir is Israel’s national security minister and has no connection to the airport’s name.

The mistake quickly drew attention online, particularly because of Ben Gvir’s prominence in Israeli politics and the BBC’s extensive coverage of Israel since the October 7 attacks and the ensuing regional wars.

The error occurred during rapidly developing coverage of the Flydubai emergency, as international news organizations were working to piece together conflicting initial reports about what had happened aboard the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

The aircraft had been heading for Ben Gurion Airport when a violent confrontation erupted inside the cockpit. Israeli officials say the copilot stabbed the captain and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft with its passengers aboard.

Passengers and other flight crew members rushed toward the cockpit, overpowered the alleged attacker and allowed other qualified pilots aboard the flight to take control. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu later praised the passengers who intervened, saying they had prevented a major disaster. Defense Minister Israel Katz described the episode as an attempted “jihadist terrorist attack,” although Saudi authorities and Flydubai have not publicly confirmed that characterization.

The passengers subsequently left Saudi Arabia aboard a replacement Flydubai aircraft and arrived safely — at Ben Gurion Airport, not “Ben Gvir Airport” — on Wednesday evening.

{Matzav.com}

Diet Coke devotees across New York City are sounding the alarm as cans of the wildly popular soda have become surprisingly difficult to obtain through several major grocery-delivery services, with customers in multiple boroughs reporting weeks of empty inventories and unexplained shortages.

The problem appears particularly pronounced at Amazon Fresh, where some customers say Coke products have been unavailable for nearly a month. Shoppers have also reported difficulty finding Diet Coke through FreshDirect and at some Costco and Target locations.

The situation has become serious enough — at least by Diet Coke standards — for New Yorkers to start treating it like a full-fledged crisis.

On the Upper East Side, one resident recently asked neighbors whether anyone else had been unable to order cans of Diet Coke for nearly a month.

“We declared an emergency in our house,” one neighbor responded.

The problem is hardly confined to the Upper East Side.

An Amazon Fresh customer in Brooklyn reported that Coke products had been missing from the service since Aug. 5. Similar complaints have surfaced from customers in Harlem, Queens and Long Island, while one Brooklyn shopper said a local Costco had also run out.

“They can cut off the gas, they can cut off the diesel, but if they cut off the Diet Coke there will finally be revolution,” one commenter declared in solidarity.

The mystery is complicated by the fact that Diet Coke has not disappeared everywhere. Current online listings show the soda available through some retailers, including FreshDirect, while other supermarkets continue to advertise various Diet Coke packages for sale.

That suggests New York may not be experiencing a genuine citywide Diet Coke shortage so much as a patchwork distribution and availability problem affecting particular retailers, warehouses and package sizes.

Coca-Cola itself acknowledges that Diet Coke can periodically become difficult to find. The company says increased demand, along with shortages of aluminum and certain ingredients, can affect supplies in some markets, and that it works with retailers and suppliers to address availability problems.

There has been no public confirmation, however, that any of those factors are specifically responsible for the current problems being reported in New York.

The apparent shortage is especially striking given the enormous scale of Coca-Cola’s operation and Diet Coke’s enduring popularity. Coca-Cola generated nearly $48 billion in revenue last year, and while the company does not separately disclose Diet Coke sales, the brand remains one of its billion-dollar products.

Demand has hardly been collapsing. Global volume for Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light rose 7% during the second quarter of 2026, with particularly strong growth in North America and the Asia-Pacific region.

“There has culturally been a huge influx of Diet Coke drinkers in the last two years,” Kristen Hollingshaus, director of Diet Coke Breaks, told The Post.

“It is truly the beverage of our generation,” Hollingshaus added, arguing that social media has helped fuel its latest popularity surge.

Hollingshaus, who lives in San Francisco, said she has not encountered the same problem in the Bay Area, where regular Diet Coke remains readily available. She has, however, noticed that some flavored varieties, including Diet Coke Lime and Cherry Diet Coke, have become more difficult to locate.

For New Yorkers staring at Diet Coke-free grocery orders, she said the reaction is entirely justified.

“The freak out is literally so fair and understandable because if this was happening in the Bay Area, I’d be raising hell,” she said.

Her recommendation for anyone unable to get cases through Amazon Fresh is to try ordering directly from Amazon.com instead.

“I get it — by the time it hits 3 p.m. every day I’m genuinely feening for a Diet Coke if I haven’t had one already,” she said.

The unanswered question is what, exactly, has happened to the supply.

Some Amazon Fresh customers have speculated that the disappearance of Coke products may have nothing to do with an actual shortage. Instead, they have floated theories involving a contract, billing or account dispute between Amazon and Coca-Cola.

One person claiming to work at an Amazon Fresh warehouse said Pepsi products were continuing to arrive while Coke products were not, further fueling speculation that at least part of the problem could be retailer-specific.

Those claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no confirmation from Amazon or Coca-Cola that an invoice or contractual dispute is responsible.

The fact that Diet Coke remains available from other sellers also makes a blanket New York shortage difficult to establish. FreshDirect currently lists cans for sale online, and other grocery chains have recently advertised Diet Coke products as available, even as customers report that particular stores, delivery services and can sizes are sold out.

Whatever is causing New York’s current Diet Coke difficulties, they come during an unusually complicated year for the soft drink’s international supply chain.

A genuine shortage emerged earlier this year in India, where Diet Coke is sold exclusively in cans. Disruptions to aluminum supplies moving through the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Iran war contributed to dwindling inventories.

The scarcity there became so pronounced that restaurants and social-media personalities in New Delhi and Mumbai began staging tongue-in-cheek “Diet Coke parties,” turning the increasingly hard-to-find cans into something of a novelty.

Coca-Cola has acknowledged more broadly that aluminum and ingredient shortages can periodically interfere with Diet Coke availability.

There is currently no evidence establishing that the overseas supply disruption is responsible for what New Yorkers are experiencing.

There is, however, an ironic political footnote to the Great Diet Coke Hunt of 2026.

President Donald Trump is perhaps the world’s most famous Diet Coke enthusiast. His well-known “Diet Coke Button” sits on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, allowing him to summon his preferred soda without leaving his chair.

For ordinary New Yorkers without presidential beverage buttons, the options are considerably less convenient.

And for the most devoted Diet Coke drinkers, the unthinkable alternative remains sitting right there on the shelf: Pepsi.

{Matzav.com}

Agudath Israel of America is encouraged by the launch of Mayor Mamdani’s Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, and Mayor Mamdani’s statement, released yesterday. The Agudah applauds this acknowledgement of rising antisemitism, the significant work inherent in the plan’s compilation, and its inclusion of several positive features – all critical elements for addressing an epidemic of hate in the city with the largest population of Jews outside of Israel.

That said, many Jews, and especially those represented by Agudah, will find this plan lacking.

Orthodox Jews will not be impressed by an allocation of $1 million to protect nonprofit organizations and houses of worship while making a $2.5 million capital investment in The Center for New Jewish Culture “to support the next generation of Jewish artists.” Nor will they feel seen by an acknowledgment of Leonard Bernstein, Katz’s Deli, and Kleinfeld Bridal, as singled out by the mayor’s listing of Jewish contributions to NYC.

Visibly identifiable Jews comprise the primary victims of antisemitism. We need real safety. We need security funding and uncompromising enforcement; unequivocal condemnation of antisemitism wherever and by whichever political group it is espoused; an end to the administration’s stoking of Jew-hatred through its obsession with criticizing Israel; and a complete cessation of pandering to antisemitic personas.

{Matzav.com}

The 174 passengers caught up in the suspected terror attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 arrived safely at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday evening, completing an extraordinary journey that included a bloody cockpit struggle, a terrifying plunge, an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia and hours stranded in Tabuk.

The replacement Flydubai aircraft touched down at Ben Gurion roughly an hour after leaving Saudi Arabia. As the jet entered Israeli airspace, Israeli Air Force fighter jets accompanied it on the final leg of the journey until it reached the airport.

אחרי שעות של דרמה בשחקים: טיסת החילוץ מסעודיה נחתה בישראלhttps://t.co/1tQp7TE6jB@OrHeller | @NoganNir | @OfekTzach pic.twitter.com/9qsW1fsxeS

— חדשות 13 (@newsisrael13) September 30, 2026

The return flight initially faced another obstacle when several passengers, deeply shaken by what had happened earlier in the day, refused to board another Flydubai aircraft. They ultimately agreed to make the trip after Israeli security officials intervened and the Mossad vetted and approved the replacement crew.

The replacement pilots were separately checked before departure, and passengers said they were reassured about their identities and backgrounds. Earlier reports identified the two replacement pilots as Australian and Ukrainian.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu was expected at Ben Gurion Airport as the passengers returned, after spending much of the day receiving security updates and speaking personally with at least one of those who helped overpower the suspected attacker.

The group had been in Saudi Arabia since FZ1073, originally traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to divert to Tabuk following the violent incident inside the cockpit. Israeli officials remained in contact with Saudi authorities as passengers were questioned about what had occurred. Officials said none of the Israelis would be required to remain in Saudi Arabia for the investigation.

The crisis began when the aircraft transmitted emergency signals indicating that something was seriously wrong aboard the plane. Among them was code 7500, the internationally recognized transponder signal for unlawful interference with an aircraft and a potential hijacking.

Israeli authorities briefly lost contact with the jet, setting off an immediate security response. Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled while Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior security officials held emergency consultations.

As information began emerging from passengers and Israeli officials, the episode took on a far more alarming character.

According to Israel’s preliminary assessment, the copilot, described in Israeli reports as an Omani national, attacked and repeatedly stabbed the captain before apparently attempting to deliberately bring down the aircraft. Israeli officials said evidence increasingly indicated that the episode was an intentional terrorist attack rather than a mental-health-related incident.

Saudi authorities and Flydubai have not publicly confirmed Israel’s characterization of the attack or the reported nationality and motive of the suspected attacker. The investigation is continuing, including an Israeli inquiry into how an Omani national was reportedly cleared to serve as a pilot aboard a flight bound for Israel.

Passengers and crew members who heard screams and commotion coming from the cockpit rushed forward and forced their way into the confrontation. Several passengers helped overpower the alleged attacker and remove him from the cockpit, allowing other qualified pilots aboard the aircraft to take control.

A senior Israeli official said afterward that “an extremely serious disaster was averted.”

Among those who intervened was Tzvika Manes, CEO of Barak Capital Underwriting, who was traveling with his wife and young daughters. Manes said he and two other passengers entered the cockpit after his wife heard screaming and alerted another pilot sitting outside.

“I’m covered in blood. It was insane,” he said.

Manes later said the passengers had to use significant force to restrain the alleged attacker. With no handcuffs available, they improvised by using cables from the aircraft’s entertainment headphones to tie him up.

Other passengers filmed the chaotic aftermath.

One passenger, his face covered in blood, recorded a video while the aircraft was still preparing to make its emergency landing.

“We have just taken control of the terrorists. We’re preparing to land. Anyone who can hear me, we need help.”

Yitzhak Lieber, another passenger who was aboard the flight, described how the passengers reacted once they realized what was happening.

“We took control here on the flight of the attacker with a knife who stabbed one of the pilots. We just jumped in, and a few of us got them out of the cockpit. Everything is fine now.”

Footage recorded aboard the aircraft showed passengers guarding the cockpit entrance while medical professionals tended to the badly wounded captain. A doctor and nurse who happened to be aboard the flight provided emergency treatment and stabilized him after he suffered multiple stab wounds.

Other qualified pilots aboard the aircraft stepped in after the alleged attacker was removed from the cockpit and helped bring the jet under control.

The severity of the emergency was also visible in flight-tracking data. During the cockpit struggle, FZ1073 suddenly lost approximately 14,000 feet of altitude — about 4,200 meters — in an extremely short period, sending passengers tumbling and prompting fears that the aircraft was about to crash.

The jet eventually established contact with Saudi authorities and diverted to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, where it landed safely.

Saudi authorities took the suspected attacker into custody, while the wounded pilots were transported for medical treatment. The captain, identified in reports as Indian national Smit Machchhar, was described as having suffered multiple stab wounds.

Netanyahu later said the alleged attacker had attempted to “crash the plane with everyone on board.”

He praised the passengers and crew members who intervened, saying their actions prevented a catastrophe.

“I salute these heroes, who displayed extraordinary resourcefulness and courage,” he said. “They saved many lives. They prevented a major disaster.”

Defense Minister Katz described the episode as an “attempted jihadist terrorist attack,” saying Israel’s preliminary information indicated that the alleged attacker intended to bring down the plane with everyone aboard.

Once FZ1073 was safely on the ground, attention shifted to extracting the Israelis from Saudi Arabia, which does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

Israeli officials considered several possibilities for bringing the group home, including sending an Israeli aircraft to Tabuk. Flydubai ultimately dispatched a replacement jet, whose crew was vetted by Israeli security officials before passengers were asked to board.

Some initially refused.

After hours of uncertainty — and assurances from Israeli officials that the new crew had been examined and approved — the remaining holdouts agreed to make the trip.

The replacement aircraft departed Tabuk Wednesday afternoon and, approximately an hour later, crossed into Israeli airspace under the watch of Israeli fighter jets.

It then landed at Ben Gurion Airport, bringing all 174 passengers back to Israel and ending a journey that had begun that morning as a routine flight from Dubai.

{Matzav.com}

Iran has issued a sharp warning to the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states following Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s secret visit to Abu Dhabi, cautioning that an expanded Israeli presence in the region could have “highly dangerous consequences” and urging neighboring countries not to allow their territory to be used against Tehran.

The warning from Iran’s Foreign Ministry came after Netanyahu traveled secretly to the UAE on Sunday for talks with Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The trip was initially kept under wraps, but both Israel and the UAE subsequently confirmed that the meeting had taken place.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the visit and called on governments throughout the region to exercise caution as Israel expands its diplomatic and security relationships in the Gulf.

“There is no doubt that, given the proven hostility and hatred of the Zionist regime toward Iran and other countries in the region, as well as its repeated threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran, all countries in the region must remain vigilant regarding the consequences of such a presence,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

Tehran further called on regional governments to prevent their territories from being used for activities that Iran says could threaten neighboring countries or destabilize the region. Iranian officials characterized Netanyahu’s visit as another indication of what they regard as an expanding Israeli security footprint in the Gulf.

The warning carries particular significance amid the intense confrontation between Iran and Israel and the United States this year. Iran has repeatedly accused Gulf countries of facilitating Israeli and American operations against it. In May, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi went so far as to accuse the UAE of being an “active partner” in U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran, an allegation Abu Dhabi rejected.

Netanyahu’s Sunday visit was itself highly unusual. Although Israel and the UAE have maintained formal diplomatic relations since signing the Abraham Accords in 2020, Abu Dhabi’s public confirmation of the meeting represented the first time the Emiratis had openly acknowledged hosting Netanyahu for such a visit.

Netanyahu was accompanied by an unusually senior Israeli delegation that included Mossad chief Roman Gofman, National Security Council head Gil Reich, his military secretary and foreign policy adviser. Netanyahu’s office said the trip centered on strengthening Israeli-Emirati relations and addressing regional challenges.

The UAE offered a more restrained public account, saying simply that Mohamed bin Zayed and Netanyahu discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop them.

But Israeli reports indicate that considerably more may have taken place behind closed doors.

According to a Channel 14 report, representatives of a remarkable collection of Arab and Muslim countries were present in Abu Dhabi during the visit, potentially transforming what initially appeared to be a bilateral Israel-UAE meeting into a far broader regional gathering.

The report said representatives were present from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Libya, Oman and Egypt, in addition to the UAE, Israel and the United States. If accurate, the gathering would be especially noteworthy because several of those countries do not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Israel. The reported multinational meeting has not been publicly confirmed by the governments said to have participated.

Other Israeli reporting has produced somewhat different lists, with Jordan and Qatar also mentioned as possible participants. Open-source flight information cited in subsequent reports indicated that a Libyan government aircraft, a Moroccan military transport plane and a Qatari military aircraft were among planes arriving in Abu Dhabi around the time Netanyahu was there. Those movements do not by themselves establish who participated in the meeting.

According to Channel 14, the discussions included Iran, Israeli-Gulf cooperation, economic matters and Israeli defense technology.

Reports also indicated that the talks unfolded in stages, beginning with a more limited meeting involving Netanyahu, Mohamed bin Zayed and their delegations before representatives of other countries joined a broader session.

The possibility that Saudi officials participated is particularly significant. Saudi Arabia still has no formal diplomatic relations with Israel, although contacts between the countries have been reported for years. The current regional crisis, including the confrontation with Iran and renewed Houthi military activity in Yemen, has given Israel and several Gulf governments overlapping security concerns.

There was another explosive issue hanging over Netanyahu’s trip.

Recent reports have alleged that Mohamed bin Zayed personally warned Netanyahu before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that a major assault was being prepared. Netanyahu has emphatically denied receiving such a warning.

The Associated Press and Israeli reports, citing sources familiar with the meeting, said Netanyahu used his latest visit to ask the Emirati leader to publicly deny the claim. Netanyahu’s office has denied that the trip was undertaken for that purpose and has maintained that the meeting dealt with regional and bilateral matters.

The secrecy surrounding the visit produced a controversy of its own after Israel’s Channel 12 reported Netanyahu’s location while his aircraft was still outside Israeli airspace on the return trip.

Netanyahu’s office said the disclosure endangered Netanyahu, his wife and the senior Israeli officials traveling with him. The Shin Bet subsequently filed a complaint with Israel’s military censor over what Netanyahu’s office characterized as a serious security violation.

{Matzav.com}