Israeli authorities are investigating the motives behind a midair attack by a co-pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, an incident that nearly resulted in a major disaster. The event unfolded on Thursday, when the co-pilot reportedly assaulted the pilot inside the cockpit during the flight.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated in an interview that the co-pilot, identified by Israeli officials as an Omani citizen, may have been driven by ideological reasons. Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu stated that the man had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination based on information gathered in the course of the investigation. Details about the co-pilot’s identity and background have not been publicly disclosed.

A video released by Netanyahu’s office featured Yaniv Hayoun, an Israeli passenger who was reportedly the first to intervene. Hayoun recalled the co-pilot shouting “Kill me! Kill me!” in English, which he interpreted as an expression of despair after an apparent failure to carry out his intended mission. According to Hayoun, he subdued the attacker by putting him in a chokehold and removing him from the cockpit, actions credited with helping to avert a catastrophe on the flight.

Israeli investigators remain actively engaged in examining the co-pilot’s background and the potential motivations behind the attack. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the incident was linked to any broader security threats or organizations. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand fully the circumstances that led to the assault mid-flight.