Breaking
Investigation into the attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight 981 has revealed that co-pilot Ghaith Hammami had planned a deliberate attack on Israel months before the incident, according to reporting from the Wall Street Journal. Hammami told investigators that he sought to crash the aircraft into an Israeli target, specifically mentioning Ben-Gurion Airport, motivated by the situation in Gaza.
The co-pilot’s actions during the flight represented a serious security threat that was ultimately foiled by civilian passengers and crew members. Six Israelis have been recognised for their heroism in preventing the attack, with President Isaac Herzog announcing they will be awarded medals for their actions in stopping Hammami from crashing the plane.
The incident highlights significant security vulnerabilities in aviation and raises questions about screening procedures for airline personnel. The investigation has exposed planning that predated the actual hijacking attempt by several months, indicating premeditated intent rather than a spontaneous act.
Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel
