An early investigation by Israeli authorities indicates that the suspected attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai flight was likely a lone-wolf attack, according to people familiar with the matter. While the investigation remains in full swing and authorities continue to explore all avenues, initial findings point toward an individual action rather than a coordinated conspiracy.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. As the aircraft approached Israel, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the flight captain and attempted to crash the plane. The mid-air struggle was confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, passengers on board, and the flight captain. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The suspect is currently in the United Arab Emirates, where he is undergoing a second round of interrogation. He was first questioned by Saudi authorities immediately after the plane landed. Israel has sent its own representatives to the UAE to participate in the ongoing joint investigation.
Political leaders have offered differing views on the suspect's potential connections. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the co-pilot might have links to Iran, noting that his assessment was "based on what I'm hearing." Trump added that the United States is actively working on the matter and that international partners are being highly cooperative. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that the co-pilot's exact motives remain unknown, adding that he viewed the incident as resembling a suicide attempt rather than a traditional hijacking.
Sources familiar with the investigation have identified the co-pilot as Hamam al Hamami. Al Hamami is an Omani citizen who was born outside of Oman and lived the majority of his life abroad. His mother is Syrian and his father is Omani. Although the Omani government has not publicly confirmed his nationality, investigators believe he may hold dual citizenship, which could explain how he was cleared to fly into Israeli airspace.
Al Hamami's background has raised significant security questions. He previously worked briefly for Oman Air, where he entered a training program for new pilots. However, Omani government surveillance discovered that he was visiting radical websites, prompting Oman Air to transfer him to a desk job. Al Hamami subsequently resigned from his position at Oman Air, leaving the airline around 2024.
Before relocating, al Hamami reportedly posted a video online showing El Al Israeli Airlines planes in Dubai. The end of the video clip featured a photograph of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the prominent al Qaeda leader who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2022. Following his departure from Oman, al Hamami moved to Dubai, where FlyDubai hired him without vetting his background with the Omani government.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.