Israel Investigates Flydubai Hijacking Attempt as Lone Wolf Attack

An initial investigation in Israel suggests the failed hijacking attempt on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel was likely carried out by a lone attacker acting independently, according to U.S. network CBS, citing sources involved in the case. Investigators are continuing to explore all possible avenues to fully understand the incident's circumstances.

Reports also clarified that the two pilots who regained control of the aircraft were not British citizens, as previously claimed, but rather held South African and New Zealand citizenship respectively. Their identities have not yet been released.

The dramatic event unfolded when the co-pilot, Humam Al-Hamami, attacked the Indian captain with a knife and began to dive the plane towards the ground. The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing four Israeli passengers, Yaniv Hayon, Dr. Shota Musaev, Zvika Mans, and Assaf Radwan, to enter and subdue the attacker.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated recently that the attacker had undergone Islamist radicalization and intended to crash the plane with its passengers. He added that an investigation is underway to determine if the attacker was sent by anyone, and that whoever sent him would pay a heavy price.

A special Israeli investigation team has arrived in the United Arab Emirates, where the Omani co-pilot was transferred from Saudi Arabia for further questioning regarding the attempted attack. A senior UAE official confirmed that Israeli Mossad personnel and aviation experts are secretly participating in the investigation in Abu Dhabi, alongside senior officials from Saudi, Omani, and U.S. intelligence agencies.

Further investigation indicates Al-Hamami's plan was not just to cause a plane crash, but to deliberately crash into a multi-story building in Israel, similar to the September 11th attacks, with the Azrieli Center towers in Tel Aviv reportedly being a primary target. Anwar Gargash, advisor to the UAE President, labeled the incident a "terrorist act," marking the first official designation of the act as terrorism by the Emirates. Additionally, Al-Qaeda published a call for copycat attacks against American and Israeli aviation targets in its publication "Al-Bayan," praising the foiled hijacking attempt.