UAE Confirms Pilot's Terror Plot Against Ben Gurion Airport
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
The United Arab Emirates confirmed that the co-pilot of a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv on October 30 planned to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport. The co-pilot attacked the captain and attempted to seize control, but was subdued by the crew. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia with over 170 people aboard. The suspect, identified as Hamam al-Khamami, had previously shown extremist tendencies.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- UAE confirmed co-pilot of FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv planned terror attack on Ben Gurion Airport.
- The co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
- The plane, carrying over 170 passengers, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- The suspect, Hamam al-Khamami, had previously been flagged for extremist material during training.
- Israeli security services are involved in the interrogation of the suspect in the UAE.
The United Arab Emirates has officially confirmed that the co-pilot of a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv on October 30 intended to carry out a terrorist attack. Sources familiar with the investigation indicate the perpetrator planned to crash the passenger jet into Ben Gurion Airport, a scenario that could have mirrored the scale of the September 11, 2001 attacks. While details of the plot had previously emerged in Israeli media, this marks the first official confirmation from the UAE.
According to UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi, the investigation revealed the co-pilot initiated his plan during the flight. He attacked the captain in the cockpit with an emergency axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft. The investigation is ongoing to determine the attacker's motives, the preparation details, and any potential accomplices, with physical and digital evidence being examined.
The Boeing 737 was carrying over 170 passengers and crew, predominantly Israelis. Despite his injuries, the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the attacker. The plane experienced a significant altitude loss before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Reuters reported that the suspect, identified by sources as 29-year-old Omani citizen Hamam al-Khamami, had allegedly planned the attack before joining FlyDubai. He had reportedly considered a similar attack on another flight to Israel but desisted when an acquaintance was aboard. The sources claim Ben Gurion Airport was the target of the final attempt.
Sources indicate that al-Khamami was flagged for extremist material during his training with Oman Air in 2024, leading to his removal from flight training and reassignment to administrative duties before he joined FlyDubai. UAE authorities have not publicly confirmed his identity, and the investigation continues into his motives and potential collaborators. Israeli security services are also involved in his interrogation in the UAE.
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