Israel was prepared to shoot down hijacked Flydubai jet

Co-Pilot's Alleged Plan and Attack

The co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency axe and attempted to crash the Boeing 737 MAX into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport or a high-rise building, according to multiple sources. Israeli and U.S. intelligence reports suggest the plan was conceived months in advance, with al-Hammami flying to Israel in June 2026 to gather information for the attack. He reportedly intended to use normal flight procedures to approach the airport before crashing the plane, which carried over 180 passengers, into a terminal or tower block.

Al-Hammami, who had previously been removed from flying duties by Oman Air due to concerns about his extremist views, was reportedly a "lone wolf" extremist. His alleged motive included Islamist radical indoctrination, as stated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the attack, the co-pilot asked the captain to pray mid-flight before striking him with the axe, leading to a 14,000-foot altitude drop in 29 seconds. The captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to subdue al-Hammami and redirect the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Israel's Preparedness and Decision-Making

Israeli authorities had prepared to shoot down the aircraft to prevent a "9/11-style" attack, according to sources cited by CBS News and the Daily Mail. A command center was activated, and fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the plane, which was 400 miles from the Israeli border. However, the aircraft turned toward Saudi Arabia, prompting the jets to return. The decision to shoot down the plane would have required approval from Netanyahu, as per protocol for rogue flights approaching Israel.

The Israeli government emphasized that the plan to intercept the jet was part of standard procedures for threats involving civilian aircraft. Officials stated that the priority was to avoid mass casualties, with one source noting that shooting down the plane would have been preferable to a crash at Ben Gurion Airport or the Azrieli buildings. The incident has since prompted a review of security protocols for foreign airlines operating in Israel.

Security Lapses and Background of the Co-Pilot

The incident exposed significant security gaps, including the co-pilot's employment by Flydubai despite prior concerns about his radical views. Al-Hammami, who studied aviation in the UK and worked for Oman Air before being transferred to an administrative role, was reportedly removed from flying duties due to extremist content on his social media. However, Flydubai hired him without verifying his background with Omani authorities, according to sources. His dual citizenship—Omani through his father and UAE-born through his mother—may have facilitated his employment.

Israeli aviation regulations prohibit pilots from countries without formal diplomatic ties to Israel, such as Oman, from operating flights to the country. A former Israeli aviation security official, Eytan Ben David, called the incident a "huge failure" and a "miracle" that the attack was thwarted. He criticized the lack of vetting for foreign pilots, noting that al-Hammami should have been barred from flying to Israel based on his nationality alone. The Israeli Transport Ministry and security agencies have since denied responsibility for vetting foreign flight crews, shifting accountability to the Shin Bet and Mossad.

Aftermath and Investigations

Al-Hammami remains in UAE custody for questioning, with Israeli representatives joining the investigation. Authorities are examining his potential links to extremist organizations, though no evidence of Iranian involvement has been confirmed. The incident has raised questions about the vetting processes of foreign airlines and the oversight of pilots with suspected radical ties. Flydubai has not commented on the matter, citing the ongoing investigation.

The co-pilot's alleged actions have sparked calls for stricter security measures, including enhanced background checks for foreign pilots and improved information-sharing between airlines and governments. Israeli officials have ordered a review of all security aspects related to foreign civil aviation, while regional and international agencies continue to probe the circumstances of the attack.

The next critical step in the investigation will be the release of findings from the UAE-led probe into al-Hammami's motives and potential connections. Israel's review of aviation security measures and the broader implications for foreign airline operations in the region remain at the forefront of political and intelligence discussions. The incident underscores the challenges of balancing aviation safety with the complexities of international diplomacy and counterterrorism efforts.