DOMINANT ANGLE
Brussels is weighing conflicting accounts: the Belgian press reports the Israeli thesis of an attempted attack in the cockpit while emphasizing that uncertainty remains about what happened on board.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Flight FZ 1073, with 174 people on board according to La Libre, dropped from approximately 10,400 meters to less than 5,200 meters in one minute before landing in Tabouk.
- 02
Itamar Ben Gvir claims a "terrorist tried to crash a plane to assassinate the 180 Israelis" on board; Netanyahu announces a pilot was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities.
- 03
VRT reports the codes 7700 and 7500, and the takeoff of Israeli fighter jets, while noting the circumstances are not officially known.
ANALYSIS
Brussels, October 1, 2026. Belgian newspapers, both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking, first report uncertainty. The flydubai flight FZ 1073, which departed from Dubai for Tel Aviv with 174 people on board according to La Libre, suddenly lost altitude on Wednesday, September 30: from approximately 10,400 meters to less than 5,200 meters in one minute, according to Flightradar. The distress signal was activated, followed by a code indicating a possible hijacking, before a U-turn over Jordan and a landing in Tabouk.
VRT specifies that the 7700 code was followed by the 7500 code and that Israeli fighter jets took off to monitor, or even intercept, the aircraft; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his cabinet. The airline speaks of an "incident" and assures that all passengers are safe and sound.
Regarding the facts, the Belgian press reports diverging versions. Citing Israeli media, DH mentions a fight between the pilot and the co-pilot, one Omani and the other Emirati, with two other pilots present as passengers taking control. La Libre relays an Israeli passenger, Miriam Shira Ohayon, who says "the co-pilot tried to kill the pilot and carry out a suicide attack". Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir talks about a "terrorist" who wanted to kill the 180 Israelis on board; Netanyahu announces that a pilot has been arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities, and that he has ordered security services to prepare for any additional threat.
La Libre emphasizes that the Israeli government is talking about a attempted jihadist attack, "but the uncertainty remains". According to Tabouk airport, the pilot and co-pilot are injured and hospitalized. The circumstances and cause of the emergency codes are not officially known, VRT recalls.
Belgian editorial offices report the terrorist qualification, attributing it to Israel, without settling the matter. The consequences for the flydubai link to Israel, the diplomatic dimension between Israel, the Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, and the fate of the commander remain largely undeveloped in these articles.
SOURCES (3)
- La Libre BelgiqueMEDIUM
- VRT NWS NLMEDIUM
- DH (Dernière Heure)MEDIUM
