FlyDubai attacker intended to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport, investigation finds

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1. 1h ago

   FlyDubai Attacker Targeted Tel Aviv Airport, Investigation Finds

   Investigators have determined that the co-pilot who attacked a packed FlyDubai flight intended to crash the aircraft into Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport. The suspect, an Omani national, spent months planning the attack and gained access to the cockpit despite previously being suspended by Oman Air as a security risk. Two senior U.S. officials and an Israeli source confirmed the details of the ongoing investigation to reporters. Meanwhile, Shin Bet agents are participating in the interrogation of the suspect in the United Arab Emirates, and reports indicate that Israeli fighter jets were scrambled and prepared to shoot down the commercial jet before being called off.

   Why it matters

   The incident exposes severe vulnerabilities in airline screening protocols that allowed a recognized security risk into a commercial cockpit on a flight to Israel carrying over 170 passengers. Israeli authorities temporarily prepared to use lethal force against the civilian aircraft as the cockpit breach unfolded. The involvement of Shin Bet agents in UAE interrogations highlights cross-border intelligence cooperation following the thwarted attack.

   What is confirmed

   • The FlyDubai co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain planned the attack for months and intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
   • The suspect is an Omani national who was previously suspended by Oman Air as a security risk.
   • Shin Bet agents are participating in the interrogation of the suspect in the UAE.
   • Israel scrambled fighter jets and was ready to shoot down the FlyDubai flight before calling them off.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Trump stated he personally believes Iran is responsible for the FlyDubai attack, bucking lone wolf assessments.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the joint interrogation involving Shin Bet agents in the UAE
   • Official disclosures regarding how the suspect bypassed cockpit security barriers
   • Any formal diplomatic or intelligence assessments concerning potential state sponsorship by Iran
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. www.cbsnews.com — What we're learning about the FlyDubai co-pilot who allegedly ...
   2. abcnews.com — Suspect in FlyDubai incident was previously identified as security risk: Officials
   3. WSJ — Multiple Security Failures Allowed FlyDubai Pilot Into Cockpit
   4. CBS News — Hero passenger on FlyDubai flight: "I decided that we are going to survive"
   5. NPR — FlyDubai attacker intended to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport, ongoing investigation finds
   6. CNN — Alleged Flydubai hijacker likely wanted to target Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, sources say
   7. www.cbsnews.com — FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into airport, shouldn't have been cleared to fly to Israel, sources say
   8. Yahoo — Reports: Alleged FlyDubai hijacker sought Israel airport crash
   9. The Times of Israel — Bucking lone wolf assessments, Trump says he personally believes Iran responsible for flydubai attack
   10. timesofisrael.com — Shin Bet agents participating in interrogation of flydubai terrorist in UAE, ToI learns
   11. abcnews.com — FlyDubai suspected attacker intended to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport, sources say
   12. The Times of Israel — Israel was ready to shoot down flydubai flight, scrambled jets before calling them off — report
   confidence 90%