Passenger Restrained Hijacker on Flydubai Flight Amid Security Lapses

A medical student, Ader Hayat, recounted his experience restraining the Omani co-pilot, Mam al-Hamaami, who was identified as the hijacker on a Flydubai flight. Hayat described the intense fear and deliberation among passengers about whether to kill the hijacker, fearing he might have a knife. He also detailed tending to the pilot, Samit Machaar, who was stabbed, but was unable to fully assist him until the hijacker was subdued. Another passenger provided zip ties, which Hayat used to secure al-Hamaami, later confirming he was unarmed. Investigations in the Emirates have concluded that foreign pilots did not cooperate with the hijacker. Al-Hamaami had arrived in Australia about a decade ago, and his background is under thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, significant security lapses have been exposed within the Ministry of Transport. An Israeli company reportedly identified and dismissed a pilot with anti-Israel sentiments months ago, but the Ministry claims its database was in a pilot phase and unable to share information. The Tax Authority, however, insists the database is active and shared with all relevant bodies, with a senior official calling the Ministry's claim "nonsense."

Further reports indicate al-Hamaami had planned a similar attack on a previous flight to Tel Aviv but reconsidered. He admitted in interrogation to choosing Flydubai because it flew to Tel Aviv, having planned the attack before being hired. An Israeli investigation team arrived in the Emirates to participate in al-Hamaami's interrogation, alongside security officials from other nations, focusing on suspicions he had flown to Israel previously and acted alone.

Security officials are calling for an inquiry and a ban on pilots from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel, citing the lack of vetting for religious extremism by the airline. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Head of the National Security Council to appoint an examiner to conduct a thorough review of all security aspects related to foreign civil aviation arriving in Israel, amid accusations between the Ministry of Transport and security agencies. A discussion in June 2023 involving the Shin Bet and Mossad revealed the Ministry of Transport's responsibility for foreign flight security, but they claimed insufficient intelligence. The Mossad agreed to increase information sharing, but this did not materialize.

Official data shows dozens of Omani citizens entered Israel on tourist visas in recent years, including aircrew members, despite Oman not being designated an enemy state. This suggests potential security breaches where alerts were not triggered, violating aviation agreements requiring aircrew to hold diplomatic passports from countries with relations with Israel. The Ministry of Transport stated they operate under the assumption this did not happen but cannot confirm it with certainty.