The co-pilot of the Flydubai airline flight bound for Israel but that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday is suspected of attempting to hijack the plane after stabbing its captain, Israeli sources have told CNN, the latter reports.

It is not yet known, however, whether this co-pilot intended to crash the plane or take passengers hostage.

According to flight tracking data, the incident caused the plane, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, to plummet 5,300 meters in less than two minutes.

The incident had prompted Israel's prime minister and defense minister to hold security consultations.

A representative of the authorities said Israel was considering sending a military or civilian aircraft to bring the passengers of the aforesaid plane home.

Earlier, i24News television, citing Israeli officials, reported that the authorities of the Jewish state are considering the incident on the aforesaid plane as a terrorist act. According to the channel, the co-pilot—an Omani citizen—stabbed the captain—a UAE national—and tried to take control of the plane. But he was subdued by the passengers and crew members, and the South African and New Zealand pilots on board helped the plane land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.