Hijack scare on Tel Aviv-Dubai flight; plane carrying around 180 diverted to Saudi Arabia

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held emergency consultations over the incident

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying around 180 people was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after triggering an apparent hijack scare, with Israeli officials closely monitoring the situation.The aircraft initially signalled an emergency code before changing its transponder code to 7500, an internationally recognised code indicating hijacking or unlawful interference, according to flight-tracking data.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with security officials after the flight was diverted from its planned route, three Israeli security officials told Reuters. An Israeli source said the aircraft was expected to land in Saudi Arabia shortly, after which the situation would become clearer.However, a spokesperson for Netanyahu's office said the diversion was not believed to be a hijacking incident.