Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight and allegedly attempting to take control of the aircraft had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination,” as investigators in the Middle East work to establish the motive behind the dramatic incident.

The incident occurred Wednesday aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board. According to Israeli officials and witness accounts, the co-pilot attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit, causing the Boeing 737 MAX to plunge more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.

Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing members of the crew and passengers to enter and restrain the attacker. A reserve crew subsequently took control of the aircraft, which was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Machchhar, who is recovering in a Saudi hospital and is reported to be in stable condition, has been praised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netanyahu for his actions. Netanyahu told CNN that the captain’s intervention prevented what he described as a potential “9/11 disaster.” Reuters reported that the Israeli and Indian leaders both publicly hailed Machchhar for helping save the passengers.

The suspect has not been publicly identified. Israeli officials have said he is an Omani national, while Saudi authorities are currently holding and questioning him. Netanyahu said the suspect appeared suicidal and had been subjected to Islamist radical indoctrination. Those statements have not been presented as a final determination of the motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The United Arab Emirates has opened its own investigation into the incident, including whether it was connected to terrorist activity, involved advance planning or was directed by others. UAE authorities said the investigation is being conducted in coordination with the country's General Civil Aviation Authority and other agencies. They have also urged the public to avoid speculation while investigators establish the facts.

The incident has raised questions about how the suspect was able to serve as a crew member on a flight bound for Israel and how the attack was carried out inside the cockpit. Israeli, Saudi, Emirati and Omani authorities are examining the suspect’s background and the circumstances surrounding the flight.

For now, the focus remains on determining the motive, while Captain Machchhar’s actions are being credited with preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome.