An attempted cockpit attack aboard a Flydubai Boeing 737 Max has prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order a sweeping security review of all foreign civil aviation destined for Israel. Channel 12 revealed that the co-pilot, identified during interrogations in the United Arab Emirates as 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, intended to crash flight FZ1073 into Ben Gurion Airport after receiving landing clearance.
The Cabin Struggle on Flight FZ1073
Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport on September 30, carrying 174 passengers to Tel Aviv, according to reporting by Corriere della Sera. Indian captain Smit Machchhar, 38, commanded the Boeing 737 Max alongside al-Hammami and six flight attendants. Investigators established that al-Hammami had planned the attack for months and had previously landed at Ben Gurion Airport multiple times during his employment with Flydubai, most recently in June and July.
Corriere della Sera detailed that less than four hours into the route, al-Hammami attacked the captain with an axe, attempted to force the aircraft down using the controls, and shut down both engines. Despite sustaining severe injuries that nearly severed his arm, Captain Machchhar fought back with the assistance of the crew to secure the aircraft before landing.
Netanyahu Orders Aviation Security Overhaul
Following the attack, Prime Minister Netanyahu directed Shmuel Ben Ezra, the director of the National Security Council, to appoint a dedicated official to conduct an exhaustive security review of all foreign civil aviation operations flying into Israel. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the directive via an official statement.
Concurrently, military developments in the region continued alongside the aviation investigation. The Israel Defense Forces announced the targeted killing of Saqr Nabil Musa Qaisi, described as a member of Hamas’s elite Nukhba unit and the director of a Turkish NGO named Deniz Feneri. The IDF stated that the organization maintained active ties with Hamas leadership and Turkish governmental institutions, while the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah previously reported the strike on the vehicle carrying the NGO director.
Conflicting Accounts Over Checkpoint Fatality
A separate dispute emerged between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian authorities regarding the death of 45-year-old Palestinian Authority official Raafat Khairy Abu Khalil at an IDF checkpoint in Tulkarm. Israeli military officials stated that Abu Khalil suffered a fatal heart attack despite receiving immediate medical treatment from soldiers at the scene, with a security source telling Ynet that no physical force or violence was used during the inspection.
Palestinian authorities disputed the official Israeli account, maintaining that the officer died as a direct result of physical beatings inflicted by the soldiers during the checkpoint control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the flight number and destination of the affected aircraft?
The aircraft operated as flight FZ1073 by Flydubai, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, with 174 passengers on board.
Who was flying the Boeing 737 Max during the incident?
Indian captain Smit Machchhar served as the commander of the flight, while 29-year-old Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami acted as the first officer.
What specific security changes did the Israeli government mandate?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the director of the National Security Council, Shmuel Ben Ezra, to appoint a specialized official to execute a thorough security review of all foreign civil aviation routes entering Israel.
What caused the dispute at the Tulkarm checkpoint?
Palestinian authorities and the Israel Defense Forces released conflicting explanations regarding the death of 45-year-old Palestinian Authority official Raafat Khairy Abu Khalil, with the military attributing his death to a heart attack and Palestinian officials claiming he was beaten by soldiers.
Worth a look