Israel has vowed to investigate the "root" of the midair cockpit attack on a flydubai flight, as the UAE begins its own probe into what motivated the co-pilot.

Investigators are trying to determine what drove the co-pilot of Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight FZ107 to stab the pilot and try to seize control of the aircraft. The plot has become a diplomatic flashpoint: the UK Prime Minister has said there are "strong indications" Iran was involved in the airbase incident linked to the case.

Meanwhile, Israeli leaders have praised the Indian pilot as a "true hero" for preventing the aircraft from crashing. US President Donald Trump also called the pilot "a hero", and one account credited a plumber on board with steadying the plunging aircraft.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the praise for pilot Smit Machchhar, while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar cautioned Indians against suspicious overseas job offers.

The motive remains the missing piece. Until it is found, the incident will keep feeding the region's suspicions.