Investigators are uncovering additional details about the alleged plot to seize control of a Flydubai flight bound for Israel, including claims that the Omani co-pilot had been preparing for the attack for months.
According to reports, the suspect had flown the Dubai–Tel Aviv route several times and allegedly used previous trips to study the route and familiarize himself with Ben Gurion Airport. Investigators believe he may have considered carrying out the attack as early as July, but reportedly abandoned that attempt after learning that someone he knew was part of the crew.
The reported plan was to kill the captain while keeping the flight appearing normal, then wait until the aircraft was cleared to land at Ben Gurion before deliberately crashing into a target. Another report claims a high-rise building in Tel Aviv may have been the intended target.
Israeli authorities were reportedly unaware that the suspect’s former employer, Oman Air, had previously prevented him from flying amid concerns about his radicalization.
🇮🇱🇺🇸 The more we learn about the FlyDubai attack, the harder one question becomes to answer:
How was this man ever allowed back into a cockpit?
JD Vance went straight at it today.
“We KNEW that guy was a problem. Not the U.S., but historically, that person should NOT have been flying an airline.”
And he’s RIGHT about the underlying failure.
Oman had already grounded Hamam al-Hammami over concerns about extremist views.
He later left Oman Air, was hired by FlyDubai and somehow ended up flying an aircraft carrying 182 people to Israel.
Then he attacked the captain with the cockpit axe and allegedly tried to bring the plane down.
I’m less interested in which country gets blamed for this than in how many separate security systems had to fail for it to happen.
Someone knew enough to take him out of a cockpit once.
Nobody made sure he stayed out of one.
Writer: Oliver
https://t.co/l6YxHe982Z— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 5, 2026
Passengers also reportedly became suspicious that other crew members could potentially be involved and closely monitored them for the remainder of the flight. Investigators have so far found no evidence indicating that additional crew members were part of the plot.
Authorities reportedly believe the co-pilot had adopted Al-Qaeda’s ideology. However, the current assessment is that he appears to have planned and carried out the attempted attack independently.
In another disturbing development, a pro-Al-Qaeda publication reportedly praised the attempted attack and called for similar attacks against Americans and Israelis traveling by air.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue examining the suspect’s background, planning and possible connections.