Passenger plane hijack scare hits Israel; fighter jets sent towards flight

Israeli fighter jets were scrambled in an extraordinary emergency response after a Wizz Air commercial flight bound for London was abruptly forced to turn back to Tel Aviv amid a suspected onboard security incident. According to The Times of Israel, the aircraft triggered Israel’s highest-level aviation security protocols after suspicious passenger behavior and a threatening message received mid-flight raised fears of a potential terror or hijacking scenario. The Israeli Air Force escorted the plane back to Ben Gurion Airport under military surveillance, where counter-terrorism authorities conducted extensive inspections and passenger questioning. The dramatic incident comes at a highly sensitive moment as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for a crucial White House meeting with.