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Israeli passengers stop ax-wielding co-pilot on Flydubai Flight 1073

By Drooid · Oct 5, 2026, 11:28 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Israeli Passengers Subdue Attacker

Four Israeli passengers subdued an ax-wielding co-pilot on Flydubai Flight 1073.
Yaniv Hayoun entered the cockpit and seized the attacker.
Tzvika Manes helped restrain the attacker with zip ties.
Asaf Rajwan and Dr. Shota Musaev used headphone wires to bind the attacker after zip ties slipped.
President Isaac Herzog announced plans to award the four passengers Israel’s President’s Medal for Civilian Heroism.

Summary

Al-Hamami Attempts Crash

Co-pilot Hammam al-Hamami admitted to United Arab Emirates (UAE) investigators he attempted to crash the aircraft into Israeli territory.
Oman Air terminated al-Hamami’s employment in 2024 over alleged radicalisation and extremist material possession.
Saudi authorities transferred the detained co-pilot to the UAE for joint interrogation with Israeli and Saudi officials.
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Iran may be involved, saying “they’ll be hit very hard.”

History

Historical Context

On 3 July 1976 Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin ordered Israel’s 2,500-km Operation Entebbe, rescuing 102 hostages and killing 45 Ugandan soldiers. Idi Amin’s support of the hijackers and the 53-minute assault highlighted Israel’s willingness to act decisively, spurring global counter-terrorism cooperation, including Kenya’s logistical aid and lasting emphasis on civilian vigilance. That legacy underpins today’s joint Israeli-UAE-Saudi investigations of airborne threats.

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Israeli Passengers Subdue Attacker

Four Israeli passengers subdued an ax-wielding co-pilot on Flydubai Flight 1073.
Yaniv Hayoun entered the cockpit and seized the attacker.
Tzvika Manes helped restrain the attacker with zip ties.
Asaf Rajwan and Dr. Shota Musaev used headphone wires to bind the attacker after zip ties slipped.
President Isaac Herzog announced plans to award the four passengers Israel’s President’s Medal for Civilian Heroism.

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