The accused flydubai hijacker, Hamam al-Hammami, 29, reportedly expressed a desire to crash an Israel-bound plane into Tel Aviv airport and is expected to face the death penalty. According to the Jerusalem Post, al-Hammami, an Omani national, researched airlines flying to Israel and visited the country months before the cockpit attack. He stated, "I tried to get hired by all the airlines. I checked which ones flew to Tel Aviv. That’s why I chose flydubai. I planned [the operation] even before I was hired."
Al-Hammami, who has been employed by flydubai for eight months, initially intended to carry out the attack in July but changed his mind due to his proximity to a crew member. However, he maintained his intention to crash a plane in Israel, specifically targeting Ben-Gurion airport. He also planned to attack the Azrieli Towers in a manner reminiscent of the September 11 attacks.
Investigators believe al-Hammami acted alone rather than as part of a terrorist group, and interrogation is ongoing in the United Arab Emirates. A senior Emirati source indicated that the co-pilot may also face the death penalty. Prosecutors are seeking the maximum penalty after al-Hammami allegedly attacked Smit Machchhar with a crash axe.
Mossad and Israeli aviation experts have arrived in Abu Dhabi to assist in the investigation, which includes interrogation by Israeli investigators and two US intelligence agents. It remains unclear if US authorities will participate in the interrogation. Saudi and Omani officials are also involved in questioning al-Hammami.
There has been criticism directed at Mossad and Israel's security agency, Shin Bet, regarding their vetting process for pilots, as Israel and Oman do not have diplomatic relations. Shin Bet stated that the Transportation Ministry is responsible for vetting passenger lists, while Transportation Minister Miri Regev claimed her department did not receive a list of passengers or warnings about the pilots.
Social media posts attributed to al-Hammami have surfaced, showing him making violent remarks and expressing anti-Semitic sentiments.