Israel Declares Dubai Flight Attack Hostile Act, Enabling Passenger Compensation

Six weeks after a foiled terror attack on a Fly Dubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel's Ministry of Defense has officially classified the incident as a hostile act. This designation allows Israeli passengers affected by the September 30th event to receive state support, including financial compensation and other state-subsidized benefits, according to Israeli media reports.

The incident involved flight FZ1073, operated by Fly Dubai, when the Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, with a knife, causing the Boeing 737 to lose thousands of feet in altitude. Several Israeli passengers intervened, entering the cockpit and overpowering the assailant. The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door before the passengers' intervention.

Two off-duty pilots on board took control of the aircraft and executed an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The passengers were later transported to Tel Aviv via a replacement aircraft. The Ministry of Defense announced on Monday that the relevant recognition authority, following confirmation from Israeli investigative bodies, had classified the event as a hostile action. This decision has been forwarded to the National Insurance Institute, which will now process claims and maintain contact with those affected.

Israeli citizens who suffered physical or psychological harm during the attack are eligible to apply for benefits, though no one died. Several passengers sustained minor injuries due to the abrupt descent, and the captain required hospitalization for severe head wounds. The official recognition is significant as survivors have been awaiting state aid, with the insurance institute previously stating it could only act after the Ministry of Defense's classification.

The attack exposed significant security vulnerabilities in international flights to Israel, particularly concerning the vetting of foreign pilots and flight crews. Reports indicate a lack of effective Israeli oversight on how airlines verify their pilots, with crew lists often submitted only after departure. The attacker, al-Hammami, had previously been removed from flight operations by Oman Air due to extremist materials found on his devices, yet Fly Dubai hired him. Approximately 100 passengers are reportedly joining a class-action lawsuit against Fly Dubai and state authorities in Israel and the UAE, citing alleged security lapses that enabled the attack.