Reuters: Israeli Officials Say Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Attack Before Hiring

Two Israeli officials briefed on the investigation revealed that the co-pilot of a "Flydubai" aircraft, suspected of stabbing the pilot in an attempt to crash the plane last week, told Emirati investigators that he had been planning the attack prior to being hired by the company, as reported by "Reuters".

A third source familiar with the Emirati investigation confirmed that the co-pilot, an Omani national, was planning to crash the aircraft which was heading to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

According to the source, the co-pilot had previously piloted a flight to Tel Aviv earlier this year and intended at that time to hijack and crash the plane, before backing out of executing his plan. The reason for his withdrawal during that flight remains unclear, but the source indicated that it is believed he knew someone on board.

The three sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the investigation, while Emirati and Israeli authorities did not respond to requests for comment, nor has "Flydubai" issued a response.

The UAE Attorney General had announced that the co-pilot on "Flydubai" flight "FZ1073", traveling from Dubai to Israel last Wednesday, attacked the pilot with an emergency axe, describing the incident as a "terrorist operation".

Sources stated that the co-pilot is Omani and named Hammam Al-Hamami. Conversely, the two Israeli officials did not disclose his name, limiting themselves to stating that he is from the Sultanate of Oman, while neither the Emirati authorities nor "Flydubai" have publicly identified him.