A plan to turn Flydubai flight FZ1073 into a 9/11-style attack, possibly targeting the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv, was reported today by Israeli website Ynet, the online platform of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, citing a senior source in the United Arab Emirates.
According to the report, the investigation in Abu Dhabi is now focusing on the alleged planning of the terrorist attack by 29-year-old Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hamami.
The source claimed that al-Hamami did not simply intend to crash the Boeing aircraft inside Israel, but planned to take full control of the plane and fly it into a high-rise building. According to the information currently available, Ynet reported, the intended target was the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv.
However, this claim has not so far been included in official statements from the UAE, which have nevertheless confirmed that the incident was a premeditated attempted terrorist attack.
According to Ynet, the co-pilot had planned the operation in detail. He allegedly intended first to incapacitate the Indian captain, take his seat and then direct the aircraft towards the target.
Al-Hamami had worked for Flydubai for eight months and had operated dozens of flights to Israel during that period. His most recent visit to the country was reportedly just days before the incident.
The report suggests this raises a significant security issue, as Arab pilots of other nationalities in the region, with the exception of pilots from the UAE, are reportedly prohibited from flying to Israel.
The report also claims that Mossad personnel and Israeli aviation experts who travelled secretly to Abu Dhabi are participating in the investigation, alongside intelligence officials from Saudi Arabia and Oman and US officials.
The same Emirati source claimed that, once the investigation is completed, al-Hamami is expected to face the death penalty.
Source: CNA
Also read: UAE General Staff on flydubai: Co-pilot allegedly attempted terrorist attack
