Al-Hammami also intended to crash into Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan if he could not reach Israel, i24NEWS reported. UAE prosecutors say he attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with the cockpit’s emergency axe aboard Flight FZ1073 on September 30. The wounded captain opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to subdue the attacker, and additional pilots landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israel was prepared to shoot down the jet if it was confirmed hijacked and continued toward Israel, two Israeli sources told CBS News; the fighter jets were recalled after it turned toward Saudi Arabia.
Shin Bet interrogators have joined the questioning in the UAE. Israeli investigators believe al-Hammami likely acted alone, though other possibilities remain under investigation, CBS News reported. President Donald Trump said he personally believes Iran was responsible, saying, “I do. I personally do.” Vice President JD Vance said earlier on October 5, “I haven’t seen anything conclusive yet on an Iranian role in the Flydubai incident.” Flydubai’s Tel Aviv service remains suspended until further notice.