Hamam al-Hamami, the Omani pilot who attempted to hijack a Fly Dubai flight headed to Israel, is expected to face the death penalty. Prosecutors plan to seek the maximum punishment after he plotted to carry out a mass-casualty attack on Israeli soil.
New details from his interrogation reveal the extent of his planning. According to reports, the 29-year-old al-Hamami actively sought out airlines operating routes to Israel and even visited Israel months before the incident, apparently for reconnaissance. “I tried to get hired by all the airlines,” he told investigators. “I checked which ones fly to Tel Aviv. That’s why I chose Fly Dubai. I planned the operation even before I got the job.”
Al-Hamami, who had worked for the airline for just eight months, allegedly planned to carry out an attack as early as July but backed out because of his closeness to one of the crew members scheduled to be on that flight. Still, his plan to crash a plane on Israeli soil remained intact. “The dream was to crash into Ben Gurion,” he said during questioning.
Another option he considered was deliberately crashing into the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv—a scenario reminiscent of the September 11 attacks in the United States. He allegedly wanted to execute the operation at a speed that would prevent the Israeli Air Force from scrambling fighter jets to intercept the plane. At this stage, investigators believe al-Hamami acted as a “lone wolf” and was not following direct orders from a terror organization. However, the investigation into his connections and motives continues in the United Arab Emirates.
Israeli Mossad agents and aviation experts have joined the investigation in Abu Dhabi. Two American intelligence officials also arrived in the Emirates, and Saudi and Omani authorities are involved in the probe.
In recent days, extremist statements attributed to al-Hamami on social media have surfaced, including anti-Jewish rhetoric and content encouraging violence against women.
The investigation is now expected to focus on whether al-Hamami truly acted entirely alone, who knew about his plans, and how he managed to reach a position that gave him access to the cockpit of a plane flying to Israel.