JERUSALEM - Israeli rescue services say an El Al jet with 260 passengers and crippled landing gear has safely made an emergency landing at Israel's international airport.

Rescue services spokesman Zaki Heller says the jet made a successful landing at dawn Monday as dozens of medical crews stood by and local hospitals were put on alert.

Earlier, media reported that the Boeing 777 had been en route to Newark, New Jersey, when the problem was discovered and it was forced to turn back. The jet dumped its fuel into the Mediterranean in preparation for the landing.

Heller said more than 70 rescue crews were waiting at the airport outside Tel Aviv, where a state of emergency had been declared.