Accused Flydubai Hijacker Planned to Crash Jet into Tel Aviv, Report Says

The man accused of attacking a flydubai pilot allegedly confessed to investigators that he had a "dream" to crash the Israel-bound aircraft into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. He is expected to face the death penalty.

Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, 29, reportedly researched airlines that fly to Israel and visited the country months prior to the alleged cockpit attack to gather intelligence. "I tried to get hired by all the airlines," he stated, according to the Jerusalem Post. "I checked which ones flew to Tel Aviv. That’s why I chose flydubai. I planned [the operation] even before I was hired."

Al-Hammami, who had been with flydubai for eight months, allegedly intended to crash a plane in July but changed his mind due to his proximity to a crew member. His objective to target Israeli soil persisted, however.

He also allegedly planned to crash a plane into the city’s Azrieli Towers, mirroring a 9/11-style attack, according to Ynet. Al-Hammami reportedly wanted the attack to be swift enough to prevent the Israeli military from scrambling fighter jets.

Investigators suspect al-Hammami acted as a "lone wolf" rather than being directed by a terror group, a source told the Jerusalem Post. Interrogation is ongoing in the United Arab Emirates.

A senior Emirati source confirmed to Ynet that al-Hammami is likely to face the death penalty. Prosecutors are seeking the maximum penalty after al-Hammami allegedly attacked pilot Smit Machchhar with a crash axe.

Mossad investigators and Israeli aviation experts have traveled to Abu Dhabi to participate in the investigation. Two U.S. intelligence agents have also arrived in Abu Dhabi. It remains unclear if U.S. authorities will be involved in the interrogation process. Saudi and Omani officials are also questioning al-Hammami.

Both Mossad and Israel's security agency, Shin Bet, have faced criticism regarding their alleged failure to properly vet the pilot. Israel and Oman do not have diplomatic relations, and pilots typically require passports from countries with which Israel maintains relations to land at Israeli airports.

Shin Bet has stated that the Transportation Ministry is responsible for vetting passenger lists, while Transportation Minister Miri Regev claims security agencies are responsible for flight security, asserting her department received no passenger lists or warnings about the pilots.

Social media posts have surfaced that reportedly show al-Hammami expressing violent sentiments toward women and hatred for Jewish people. The Telegraph reported that during an online exchange with a woman while he was studying aviation management remotely at Buckinghamshire New University, he allegedly said, "I’d stomp on your head, wipe the floor with you, make you an example to others, and then divorce you."