Flydubai Pilot Planned Attack on Israel, Investigation Reveals

New details have emerged in the investigation into the Flydubai incident, with Channel 12 News reporting that the pilot, Hammam Al-Hammami, did not resign from Oman Air as initially believed, but rather was sent to an anti-extremism program by the airline due to concerns about his radicalization. He was subsequently moved to an office job before ultimately resigning. This information was not shared in real-time with the UAE, allowing Al-Hammami to join Flydubai. During interrogation, Al-Hammami confessed to planning to crash the plane into Israeli territory, specifically targeting Ben Gurion Airport or a skyscraper in Tel Aviv, stating, "I was not afraid of death." It was also revealed that he had previously traveled to Israel.

The investigation has expanded to Australia, where authorities confirmed they have opened an inquiry into Al-Hammami, who studied there for two years between 2015 and 2017. Australian intelligence has also opened a file on him, with the understanding that a significant part of his radicalization occurred in Australia. The UAE is expected to request assistance from Iraq, as the pilot reportedly traveled between countries.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials expressed satisfaction with the cooperation from the UAE in the investigation of the attempted attack. A source familiar with the investigation told i24NEWS that there is full cooperation between the security agencies of both countries, driven by a shared national interest in unifying efforts. An Israeli source confirmed that the primary direction of the investigation indicates the pilot acted alone.