Details of the Incident and the Perpetrator
The Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, revealed in statements reported by the official news agency (WAM) that a 29-year-old Omani national was apprehended for attempting to hijack an aircraft with intentions to carry out a suicide attack targeting the passenger terminal at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. His goal was to inflict maximum casualties. This alarming incident reflects a serious threat to aviation security and highlights the importance of vigilance in the aviation sector.
Background of the Suspect and Investigation Findings
Al Shamsi noted that the suspect had shown signs of radicalization towards extremism and terrorism, particularly during his time in Australia since 2017. Despite these inclinations, he managed to meet all professional and security requirements necessary for employment with the Emirati airline. On the day of the assault, the suspect ambushed the aircraft's captain inside the cockpit using an emergency axe, while the captain bravely resisted and attempted to call for help. A returning flight captain, who noticed unusual activity with the cockpit door being opened and closed repeatedly, approached the situation and managed to unlock the door. Upon entering, he witnessed the attack and quickly intervened, alongside a flight attendant and several passengers, to rescue the injured captain and subdue the assailant. They successfully regained control of the aircraft, diverting it safely to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The Attorney General did not officially disclose the suspect's name, although various media reports had previously identified him as Humam Al-Hamami. Al Shamsi emphasized that the individual had adopted violent and extremist ideologies and had drawn inspiration from the September 11 attacks in the United States, which were perpetrated by members of al-Qaeda through the hijacking of commercial airplanes to strike the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Furthermore, the suspect had a history of employment with several airlines, including Oman Air from 2020 to 2024, followed by a brief stint with Royal Air Maroc in early 2025, before joining Fly Dubai in January 2026. Investigations into his recruitment revealed that he met all professional and security prerequisites, including possessing a valid pilot's license and a clean record, with no indicators of extremist views or intentions to execute a terrorist plot surfacing during this vetting process. It was also noted that he had previously participated in two flights to Tel Aviv, ostensibly to familiarize himself with the flight path and airport layout as part of his preparation for the planned attack, which he attempted to execute during a third flight on September 30, 2026. The Attorney General confirmed that the suspect acted alone, although investigations are ongoing to validate this claim.
As reported by france24.com.
