The findings of an initial Israeli investigation suggest that the alleged hijacking attempt involving a Flydubai aircraft carrying Israeli passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning was carried out by one person. An expanded investigation is still under way, examining the various theories and possibilities linked to the incident.
Investigation points to one person acting alone
People familiar with the investigation told the US broadcaster CBS that the incident was most likely a lone act. The circumstances are being investigated further as co-pilot Hamam al-Hamami, suspected of attempting to take control of the aircraft and bring it down, is questioned.
According to accounts attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several passengers and the aircraft's captain, Smit Matchar, the plane was approaching Israeli airspace when al-Hamami stabbed the captain and attempted to bring it down. Matchar managed to resist the co-pilot long enough to open the cockpit door.
Passengers regain control and land in Tabuk
After the door was opened, a group of passengers and Flydubai employees intervened and managed to restrain the attacker, preventing him from continuing his attempt. Meanwhile, two pilots who were on board regained control of the aircraft and made an emergency landing in the Saudi city of Tabuk.
Saudi authorities questioned the co-pilot after the landing before he was transferred to the UAE, where he is currently undergoing a second round of questioning. Israel sent representatives to the UAE to take part in the ongoing investigation. Their participation comes as the relevant authorities work to determine the incident's motives and verify the suspect's background and the circumstances preceding the attempt to take control of the flight.
Netanyahu discusses the co-pilot's motives
In an interview with Fox News last Thursday, Netanyahu said Israel knew that the co-pilot had "undergone indoctrination and radicalisation, based on personal information collected during the ongoing interrogations". Netanyahu provided no further details about the nature or source of that information.
The Israeli prime minister added that the co-pilot was "suicidal", explaining that after crew members and passengers had restrained him, he was shouting: "Kill me, kill me!" These statements remain part of the information attributed to Netanyahu as official investigations continue. Al-Hamami is 29 years old and was born to an Omani father and a Syrian mother.
He worked briefly for Oman Air after joining a programme designed to train new pilots. During monitoring conducted by the Omani government, al-Hamami was found to have been visiting extremist websites, prompting the company to transfer him from aviation-related work to an office position. He later resigned from Oman Air and left the company around 2024.
After leaving, al-Hamami applied for a pilot position at Western Airlines, but was not accepted before later joining Flydubai.
The ongoing investigation is currently focused on his role in the incident and his motives, alongside a review of information relating to his previous career.
