New details have surfaced regarding last week’s mid-air attack aboard a FlyDubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, revealing that Israeli authorities had reportedly been prepared to take extreme measures in response to the incident. According to reports, Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami launched an unprovoked assault inside the cockpit, striking the flight’s Indian captain, Smit Macchar, with a crash axe.
Despite the presence of more than 150 Israeli citizens on board, Israeli defense forces reportedly readied themselves to shoot down the aircraft mid-flight on security grounds. The plane suddenly dropped approximately 14,000 feet immediately after the attack began. Israeli Air Force personnel made repeated attempts to establish contact with the cockpit but received no response. Suspecting a potential 9/11-style terrorist attack, Israel swiftly activated an emergency command center, closed its airspace, and scrambled fighter jets to manage the unfolding situation.
The injured Indian captain, however, acted with composure under pressure and managed to unlock the cockpit door. Israeli passengers aboard the flight, along with FlyDubai crew members, responded immediately, overpowering and restraining the co-pilot. The aircraft was subsequently diverted toward Saudi Arabia, prompting Israel to recall its fighter jets. Saudi Arabia dispatched its own jets to escort the aircraft and facilitated a safe emergency landing.
Under Israeli defense protocol, the authority to order the downing of an aircraft that has lost control or been hijacked and is heading toward Ben Gurion International Airport or other critical infrastructure rests solely with the Prime Minister. Reports indicate that Israeli officials assessed that, had the aircraft struck landmarks such as the Azrieli Towers or other high-value sites, the resulting casualties could have run into the hundreds, a factor said to have informed their readiness to consider downing the passenger aircraft, which was carrying approximately 150 people.
The accused co-pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, is currently in the custody of United Arab Emirates police, with Israeli investigators also participating in the ongoing inquiry. During questioning, the accused reportedly made significant disclosures, stating that he had applied for positions with several airlines operating flights to Israel before securing a role with FlyDubai, and admitting that he had planned the attack prior to joining the airline. Following the incident, Israeli intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet have faced mounting criticism over alleged lapses in pilot vetting and security screening procedures.