FlyDubai Pilot's Attack Linked to Gaza War, No Accomplices Found

New details in the investigation into an attempted terror attack on FlyDubai flight FZ1073 suggest the co-pilot, Hamam Al-Hammami, cited the war in Gaza as his motive. During interrogation, he reportedly stated, "I did it in revenge for Gaza, I wanted to die as a martyr." While UAE authorities have not officially released this quote, a similar account of his testimony was reported by Walla. Emirati investigators have questioned other crew members of flight FZ1073, and according to N12, these interviews have led to the rejection of any theories that flight attendants or other crew members were involved in planning the attack or assisted Al-Hammami. Israel has received reports from these interrogations, though Israeli investigators were not permitted to directly participate. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the contents of Al-Hammami's phone. A Mossad representative informed ministers that the pilot had made short trips to several countries hostile to Israel in recent years, and investigators are checking if he was recruited by any organization during these travels. No information about accomplices or masterminds has been published to date. Walla also reported that, according to the investigation, Al-Hammami had prepared a "backup plan" to crash the plane into a US military base in Jordan, though details about the specific base and circumstances remain unclear. Earlier reports indicated that an Israeli investigation team, including Shin Bet personnel, arrived in the UAE to work with Emirati services. They aimed to determine if Al-Hammami acted alone and to examine his previous flights to Israel. Reuters previously cited Israeli officials stating Al-Hammami conceived the attack before joining FlyDubai and specifically sought an airline flying to Tel Aviv, with Ben Gurion Airport as the ultimate target. He had reportedly planned to crash the plane on a previous flight to Israel in 2026 but abandoned the plan, possibly due to the presence of someone he knew on board. The Wall Street Journal had reported that Al-Hammami was previously grounded by Oman Air due to concerns over his interest in radical ideology and underwent a deradicalization program. FlyDubai did not seek detailed information about his past from Oman Air during his hiring process, and UAE authorities are now reviewing the actions of airline employees involved in his recruitment. On September 30, Al-Hammami, an Omani citizen, attacked Captain Smith Macchhar with an emergency axe during the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight FZ1073 and attempted to seize control. The severely injured captain managed to open the cockpit door. Israeli passengers Yaniv Hayun, Tzvika Manes, and Assaf Raguian subdued the attacker, while Dr. Shota Musaev provided medical assistance to the captain. Relief pilots from FlyDubai then took control of the aircraft and landed it in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The airline has not officially disclosed the names or nationalities of these relief pilots.