Israeli flight from Thailand faced attack by 'hostile elements'

This is the second time such an incident has occurred in the past week, according to the report.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

FEBRUARY 18, 2024 15:31

Updated: FEBRUARY 18, 2024 22:08

"Hostile elements" attempted to take over the communication network of an El Al plane flying from Phuket to Ben-Gurion Airport on Saturday night and divert it from its destination, Israel's national airline confirmed on Sunday. The plane reached its destination safely.

This is the second time such an incident has occurred in the past week, according to a KAN Reshet B report. (Note- KAN Reshet B is the Israeli national radio broadcaster).

The incident took place over an area where the Iran-backed Houthis are active, although sources in Somalia told KAN that a group in the de-facto state Somaliland, which recently signed an agreement with Ethiopia, is responsible for the attempted attack.

Crew noticed the attack and thwarted it

During the incident, instructions were given to the crew that were different from their set route, raising concerns that someone was trying to damage the plane or lead it to dangerous areas, maybe even to conduct a kidnapping.

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It's also lucky that Aircraft use different types of Navigational aids to verify their position, as GPS spoofing is a thing, and Iran are guilty of using it recently, although it has not been fully proven, but offered as the most reasonable explanation.

https://www.mcafee.com/learn/what-is-gps-spoofing/

https://lloydslist.com/LL1128820/Seized-UK-tanker-likely-spoofed-by-Iran