Story perspectives

Shin Bet interrogates Omani co-pilot in UAE probe

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 2:36 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Hammami Stabs Captain

Shin Bet agents flew to the United Arab Emirates to interrogate Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami.
Hammami used a cockpit emergency axe to stab captain Smit Machchhar during flight FZ1073.
Passengers and two off-duty pilots overpowered Hammami, allowing the Boeing 737 Max to land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
UAE prosecutor general Hamad Saif al-Shamsi said the probe will examine Hammami’s Gaza-revenge motive and planned crash into Ben Gurion Airport.

Summary

Hulata Accuses Cover-up

Former National Security Council chief Eyal Hulata accused the government of covering up flydubai security failures.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid called Netanyahu’s probe a sham and demanded a real inquiry.
Right-wing People of Israel head Ofer Winter warned the state still ignores October 7 lessons.
Shin Bet declined to investigate the professor’s extremist plot, sending it to police.
The professor’s 20-page manifesto called for killing 600-700 Arab citizens and recruiting right-wing leaders.

History

Historical Context

In July 1976 Israel’s Operation Entebbe rescued 102 hostages from Air France Flight 139 after Ugandan President Idi Amin’s regime diverted the plane to Entebbe. The murder of 73-year-old Israeli hostage Dora Bloch by Amin’s forces underscored the peril of aviation terrorism, a legacy echoed in today’s Shin Bet interrogation of Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami.

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Hammami Stabs Captain

Shin Bet agents flew to the United Arab Emirates to interrogate Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami.
Hammami used a cockpit emergency axe to stab captain Smit Machchhar during flight FZ1073.
Passengers and two off-duty pilots overpowered Hammami, allowing the Boeing 737 Max to land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
UAE prosecutor general Hamad Saif al-Shamsi said the probe will examine Hammami’s Gaza-revenge motive and planned crash into Ben Gurion Airport.

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