Israeli security officials said Friday they have not yet received a formal invitation from the United Arab Emirates to take part in the investigation of the pilot, according to The Zioneer Intelligence Desk.
Israeli security officials said tonight (Friday) they have not yet received a formal invitation from the United Arab Emirates to participate in the investigation of the Omani copilot who attempted to hijack a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight.
This update follows earlier reports that Israeli officials were expected to interrogate the suspect. On Wednesday evening (Sep 30), The Zioneer reported that investigators were examining the copilot's plan to crash the plane into Israeli territory. Later that night, we reported, citing sources, that he intended to take control of the cockpit over Jordan and crash the aircraft into Israel, with more than 160 Israelis on board. Mossad Director Roman Gofman was coordinating the Israeli response and contact with Saudi authorities, according to that report. On Friday afternoon, The Times of Israel reported that Israeli officials were expected to question the copilot. Shortly after, a source told The Zioneer that Israeli authorities will interrogate the copilot, who was then held in the UAE. Reuters and i24NEWS confirmed the suspect had been transferred to the UAE, and a senior advisor to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed confirmed for the first time that the incident was a terrorist attack.
However, at 18:37 Jerusalem time Friday, Israeli security officials said no formal invitation has yet been received, leaving the status of Israel's involvement in the investigation unclear.
It remains open whether the earlier reports of imminent Israeli questioning reflected a plan that has not yet materialized or if diplomatic channels are still finalizing arrangements. The copilot remains in UAE custody, and the investigation continues.
7 developments
- StrongUAE cancels planned flights to Israel amid anger over Shin Bet security check demands — reports
- StrongIsrael has not yet responded officially to reports; forces on ground say they received no movement orders
- ConfirmedIsrael has not yet joined the strikes, source says
- StrongUAE has not acknowledged Netanyahu's meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi
Source and signal
- Open-source intake