FlyDubai Terror Plot Aimed to Crash Plane into Ben Gurion Terminal

A co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight, Hamam Al-Hamami, planned to hijack the aircraft and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport's terminal, according to interrogation data reported by Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal. Al-Hamami allegedly intended to gain clearance to land in Israel before deliberately crashing the plane into the terminal or another aircraft, making interception by military forces more difficult. The attack was reportedly initiated over Jordan to maintain the appearance of a normal flight until the final moments.

Investigation suggests Al-Hamami spent months preparing for the attack, including gathering intelligence at Ben Gurion Airport during previous flights to Israel in June. He had initially planned the attack for July but aborted it because he recognized a crew member. He later selected a different flight to attempt his plan, having specifically sought employment with airlines flying to Tel Aviv, which led him to FlyDubai.

Captain Smith Machhar thwarted Al-Hamami's attack. Despite being injured, Machhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing other pilots and Israeli passengers to subdue the attacker. The plane experienced a sudden loss of altitude but was saved, making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

The incident has raised questions about the security vetting of foreign flight crews. Al-Hamami had previously flown routes between Dubai and Tel Aviv without raising alarms, despite being suspended from flights by Oman Air due to concerns about radicalization.

In response, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has ordered the head of the National Security Council to appoint someone responsible for a comprehensive review of security for foreign flights. Australia has also launched an investigation into Al-Hamami's ties to the country, as he studied in Melbourne, and counter-terrorism agencies are examining his time there.

Authorities now view the incident less as a spontaneous act and more as a pre-planned operation utilizing the co-pilot's access and previous flights. Israeli specialists have not yet gained direct access to Al-Hamami, who is under investigation in the UAE.