October
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Overnight coverage moved from rescue to attribution after the foiled Flydubai hijacking. Trump called the Omani co-pilot a terrorist, while Netanyahu said Israel had no specific warning, it was too early to tie Iran to the attempt, and Israel might join the probe.
During the day the gap widened: Trump asserted an Iranian connection and Netanyahu spoke of Islamist radicalization, but an Israeli official said the pilot likely acted alone. The UAE opened a terror investigation and the suspect was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the Emirates as Israel pressed to join questioning, amid Emirati anger at premature conclusions and reports of oversight failures on Omani pilots.
Hundreds remained stranded in Dubai after suspensions and an Emirates restriction, with promised Israeli rescue flights then denied landing approval.
Separately, the High Court signaled a majority to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahada, who then withdrew.
During the day the gap widened: Trump asserted an Iranian connection and Netanyahu spoke of Islamist radicalization, but an Israeli official said the pilot likely acted alone. The UAE opened a terror investigation and the suspect was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the Emirates as Israel pressed to join questioning, amid Emirati anger at premature conclusions and reports of oversight failures on Omani pilots.
Hundreds remained stranded in Dubai after suspensions and an Emirates restriction, with promised Israeli rescue flights then denied landing approval.
Separately, the High Court signaled a majority to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahada, who then withdrew.
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Overnight optimism over Dubai repatriation collapsed when El Al cancelled Friday flights for lack of UAE landing approval despite Transport Ministry assurances, prompting anger in Israel; by evening an Arkia jet left as the first rescue flight. Coverage shifted to the Indian captain's account of crawling to force open the cockpit door after the Omani co-pilot stabbed him and dived the aircraft.
A Emirati official for the first time called the attempt a terrorist act. Netanyahu said the co-pilot underwent Islamist radicalization and tried to crash the plane with 174 aboard, warning whoever sent him would pay a heavy price, amid reports of Israeli questioning that security officials denied and Emirati complaints of political exploitation. Late reports said Oman had previously grounded the co-pilot over radicalization.
The High Court overturned the ban on Ra'am, the Joint List and Ofer Kassif, while Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahada withdrew to avoid disqualification.
A Emirati official for the first time called the attempt a terrorist act. Netanyahu said the co-pilot underwent Islamist radicalization and tried to crash the plane with 174 aboard, warning whoever sent him would pay a heavy price, amid reports of Israeli questioning that security officials denied and Emirati complaints of political exploitation. Late reports said Oman had previously grounded the co-pilot over radicalization.
The High Court overturned the ban on Ra'am, the Joint List and Ofer Kassif, while Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahada withdrew to avoid disqualification.
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Overnight interrogation leaks identified the Flydubai co-pilot as Humam al-Hamami, an Omani of Syrian origin previously grounded in Oman over extremist materials, who told investigators he meant to crash Flight 1703 inside Israel. The UAE prosecutor then formally defined the axe attack on the Indian captain as an attempted terrorist act.
Attention turned to how he was allowed to fly. Reports said Israel had received the crew list in advance, prompting mutual blame-shifting between the Transport Ministry and security agencies, which acknowledged no vetting of foreign pilots for such a scenario. The captain told Netanyahu the co-pilot asked to pray before striking him, forcing a fight for the cockpit door.
Separately, the IDF struck in Gaza City targeting Ali al-Amoudi, described as Sinwar’s successor, with the outcome still unclear and Gaza reporting civilian deaths.
Attention turned to how he was allowed to fly. Reports said Israel had received the crew list in advance, prompting mutual blame-shifting between the Transport Ministry and security agencies, which acknowledged no vetting of foreign pilots for such a scenario. The captain told Netanyahu the co-pilot asked to pray before striking him, forcing a fight for the cockpit door.
Separately, the IDF struck in Gaza City targeting Ali al-Amoudi, described as Sinwar’s successor, with the outcome still unclear and Gaza reporting civilian deaths.
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Overnight focus shifted from the attack itself to how the Omani co-pilot was cleared to fly. The Transport Ministry acknowledged relying solely on foreign carriers' declarations, with no checks for a year and a half despite a prior National Security Council warning, prompting blame exchanges with the Shin Bet and calls for Minister Regev's ouster.
By midday coverage turned to flight-data reconstruction reporting he pushed the controls forward and shut both engines to kill the captain with an axe. Leaked interrogation accounts then said he had sought an airline serving Tel Aviv, postponed a July plan and aimed for Ben-Gurion airport or a Tel Aviv tower. Netanyahu ordered a security review as rescue flights from Dubai were cancelled amid Emirati anger.
Marking three years since October 7, the IDF published casualty figures and commended the 8200 warrant officer who had warned of Hamas's plan.
By midday coverage turned to flight-data reconstruction reporting he pushed the controls forward and shut both engines to kill the captain with an axe. Leaked interrogation accounts then said he had sought an airline serving Tel Aviv, postponed a July plan and aimed for Ben-Gurion airport or a Tel Aviv tower. Netanyahu ordered a security review as rescue flights from Dubai were cancelled amid Emirati anger.
Marking three years since October 7, the IDF published casualty figures and commended the 8200 warrant officer who had warned of Hamas's plan.
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Flags were lowered to half-mast and state ceremonies were held at Mount Herzl on the third national memorial day for October 7. Chief of Staff Zamir said the IDF had failed to protect civilians and had a duty to investigate, a line echoed by President Herzog, who warned against ignoring warnings and called for an inquiry. Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to settle accounts and rule out Hamas rule; his address was interrupted by a bereaved father shouting he had not protected his son.
Attention later returned to the Flydubai case, with reports Shin Bet investigators joined the interrogation in the UAE and that the co-pilot sought revenge for Gaza, as Trump said he personally believed Iran was responsible.
Separately, a Bar-Ilan lecturer was indicted for planning mass attacks on Arabs, Saudi-led jets struck Houthis, and Britain threatened to expel diplomats over the East Jerusalem consulate closure.
Attention later returned to the Flydubai case, with reports Shin Bet investigators joined the interrogation in the UAE and that the co-pilot sought revenge for Gaza, as Trump said he personally believed Iran was responsible.
Separately, a Bar-Ilan lecturer was indicted for planning mass attacks on Arabs, Saudi-led jets struck Houthis, and Britain threatened to expel diplomats over the East Jerusalem consulate closure.
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Overnight reports said Iran planned drone strikes on US soldiers and B-1 bombers in Britain, forcing their evacuation, with Trump blaming Tehran.
By morning attention moved to Modi'in Illit, where hundreds of ultra-Orthodox surrounded military police to prevent arrest of a yeshiva deserter, forcing a negotiated withdrawal that drew condemnation as enforcement collapse and prompted the attorney general to demand renewed proactive arrests.
Ahead of the third anniversary of October 7, Defense Minister Katz warned of Hamas attacks on troops in Gaza and threatened war on the Palestinian Authority if its gunmen turned their weapons, while Netanyahu vowed massive retaliation and the National Security Council warned Israelis abroad of heightened risk from Iran and Hamas.
The Flydubai affair widened into a screening scandal after disclosures that over 1,200 aircrew from states without ties, including Syria and Lebanon, entered Israel this year.
By morning attention moved to Modi'in Illit, where hundreds of ultra-Orthodox surrounded military police to prevent arrest of a yeshiva deserter, forcing a negotiated withdrawal that drew condemnation as enforcement collapse and prompted the attorney general to demand renewed proactive arrests.
Ahead of the third anniversary of October 7, Defense Minister Katz warned of Hamas attacks on troops in Gaza and threatened war on the Palestinian Authority if its gunmen turned their weapons, while Netanyahu vowed massive retaliation and the National Security Council warned Israelis abroad of heightened risk from Iran and Hamas.
The Flydubai affair widened into a screening scandal after disclosures that over 1,200 aircrew from states without ties, including Syria and Lebanon, entered Israel this year.
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At 06:29 memorials opened at Nova, Kfar Aza and across the country with a minute of silence, alongside protests including a blood-red fountain in Tel Aviv and Ayalon blockades. Coverage then filled with reconstructions – the Kirya pit's first 36 minutes, Division 162, helicopter footage of the Nahal Oz lookout abduction – tallies of 2,117 killed, IDF accounts of structural change, and testimony from survivors, orphans, black-box listeners and Yarden Bibas.
By afternoon focus shifted to responsibility: the air force commander admitted failure, Ynet published pre-massacre warning documents it said Netanyahu omitted to the comptroller, Likud countered that chiefs gave no warning, and outlets noted no Nukhba indictment yet with trials pushed to next year.
In the evening tens of thousands gathered in Yarkon Park for the families-led national ceremony hosted by freed hostage Eli Sharabi, dominated by demands for a state inquiry and warnings against rewriting history.
By afternoon focus shifted to responsibility: the air force commander admitted failure, Ynet published pre-massacre warning documents it said Netanyahu omitted to the comptroller, Likud countered that chiefs gave no warning, and outlets noted no Nukhba indictment yet with trials pushed to next year.
In the evening tens of thousands gathered in Yarkon Park for the families-led national ceremony hosted by freed hostage Eli Sharabi, dominated by demands for a state inquiry and warnings against rewriting history.
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