Israel to Honor Indian Pilot for Thwarting Hijacking Attempt
Summarized from All Israel News by baba
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will award the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism to flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar for thwarting a hijacking attempt on September 30, 2026. Despite being severely wounded by his co-pilot, Machchhar opened the cockpit, allowing others to subdue the attacker, and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Herzog praised Machchhar's courage, comparing it to historical Indian contributions to Israel, and invited him to visit Jerusalem. The co-pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, allegedly intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport, and Israel seeks his extradition.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog will award Captain Smit Machchhar the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.
- Captain Machchhar averted a hijacking attempt on flydubai Flight 1073 on September 30, 2026.
- Machchhar was severely wounded by co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami but opened the cockpit door.
- Passengers and crew subdued the attacker, and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
- The co-pilot allegedly intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion International Airport.
- Israel seeks the extradition of the co-pilot from the UAE, but it is unlikely.
All Israel News publishes in English. The key points are summarized above. Read All Israel News’s full report from the link at the top of the page.
Mentioned
