The Omani co-pilot who allegedly tried to hijack and bring down a Tel Aviv-bound flight last week has reportedly told investigators he planned to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport.
Hammam al-Hammami is being interrogated in the UAE after the failed attempt to bring down Flight FZ1073 last Wednesday.
The plane ultimately landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after Captain Smit Machchhar, whom Hammami allegedly stabbed multiple times, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter the cockpit and subdue the co-pilot before off-duty pilots travelling on the flight took over control of the aircraft.
All 174 passengers have now returned home via repatriation flights whilst Machchhar is recovering in hospital.
Israeli media is reporting that Emirati authorities have shared intelligence from the interrogation with Israel, which allegedly showed that Hammami told investigators he planned to take over control of the flight and fly as normal to the planned destination of Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv, so as not to alert authorities on the ground until it was too late.
At Ben Gurion, he planned to crash the plane into either a building or another plane, per the reports.
He is alleged to have been to Ben Gurion several times in the build-up to his attempt to execute the plan, and for months it had been his sole focus.
He also reportedly told investigators that he planned to carry out the attack in July but postponed due to the fact that he was friends with one of the crew on that plane.
Channel 13 reported Hammami told investigators: “I looked into which airline flies to Tel Aviv. That’s why I chose Flydubai. I planned it even before I was accepted.”
Israeli investigators are reported to be in the UAE, although it hasn’t been confirmed that they have been involved in the interrogation. Israel, according to Ynet is urging Emirati investigators to also question the crew members.
Ynet also quoted a senior Emirati source as saying Hammami is expected to face the death penalty in the UAE.
To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.