UAE Attorney General says FlyDubai co‑pilot planned suicide attack at Tel Aviv
Written by AI from 5 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
The UAE Attorney General said the 29‑year‑old co‑pilot Hamam al‑Hamami intended to hijack FlyDubai flight FZ1073 and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport, but the aircraft was diverted after he attacked the captain.
Planned hijack
UAE Attorney General Dr. Hamad al‑Shamsi said the 29‑year‑old second pilot Hamam al‑Hamami planned to hijack FlyDubai flight FZ1073 and carry out a suicide attack at Ben Gurion Airport, intending to fly the aircraft into the terminal.
According to the same source, al‑Hamami’s radicalisation began in 2017 while he was studying at RMIT Melbourne, where he met individuals linked to Abu Hamza and the Muslim Brotherhood.
In‑flight incident
During the flight on 30 September, al‑Hamami attacked the captain, striking him with an axe according to one report and with a knife according to another, and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
A co‑pilot also reportedly used the emergency brake in the attack, and another pilot intervened to stop al‑Hamami.
The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Investigations and reactions
FlyDubai’s hiring checks found no signs of extremism; the pilot held all required certificates and positive references.
Al‑Hamami claimed he acted alone, a claim that investigators are still verifying, while Israeli sources said he acted alone.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and U.S. President Trump suggested state sponsors for the attack, with Trump mentioning Iran and Netanyahu threatening those who sent the pilot.