Omani Co-Pilot Tells Investigators He Wanted to Avenge Gaza in Flydubai Incident

Israeli and Emirati authorities are investigating Omani co-pilot Hamam Al-Hammami, 29, after he allegedly attempted to crash a Flydubai Boeing 737 Max en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. He reportedly told investigators he wanted to "avenge Gaza" and "die as a martyr." Israeli authorities are examining whether Al-Hammami acted alone or had ties to an extremist organization, with the Shin Bet involved. Investigators have accessed his phone and are probing his past visits to countries hostile to Israel, according to Channel 12. The UAE has questioned the flight's cabin crew, finding no evidence they were accomplices. A Mossad representative briefed Israel's security cabinet, noting Al-Hammami made short trips to enemy states in recent years, though no recruitment or manipulation has yet been confirmed.