Israel ‘in the dark’ over flydubai terror hijacker investigation as Mossad probes link to Iran
Author:RhondaPublished:October 6, 2026
“There is no information that can rule out or confirm an Iranian connection to or involvement with” Omani terrorist co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, an Israeli official said.
Flydubai plane seen at the Ben-Gurion Airport, outside of Tel Aviv, September 30, 2026.(photo credit: YOSSI ALONI/FLASH90)ByAMIR BOHBOT OCTOBER 6, 2026 09:55Updated: The Mossad is in direct contact with its counterparts in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, but even information transferred to Israel has not made it possible to determine clearly whether Omani terrorist pilot Hamam al-Hammami is concealing sensitive information, Walla learned on Monday.
“At this stage, we are in the dark,” an official familiar with the matter said. “There is no information that can rule out or confirm an Iranian connection to or involvement with the co-pilot. At this stage, the defense establishment assesses that he acted alone.”
The Mossad, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and IDF Military Intelligence are currently working to gather information on the case in an effort to build a complete picture surrounding the terrorist pilot and examine the potential existence of other pilots with a similar profile.
Criticism has continued within the defense establishment, particularly among IDF officials, over the fact that responsibility has still not been assigned for the serious security failure, which could have ended in a national disaster and triggered a chain of actions that would have led to regional escalation.
A flydubai plane carrying passengers from flight FZ1073 arrives at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, after a suspected terror attack aboard their original flight from Dubai to Israel forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, September 30, 2026. (credit: YOSSI ALONI/FLASH90)
IDF calls for government responsibility as intelligence screening plan takes shape
The IDF maintains that responsibility for the issue must rest with a government ministry.
The defense establishment has already begun developing the view that the intelligence community should establish a framework that would, in the future, be responsible for reviewing lists of pilots, flight attendants, and passengers traveling to Israel.
Defense officials praised Mossad chief Roman Gofman for taking a clear position on the issue and adopting a broad approach to responsibility. This comes alongside additional processes to reorganize the Mossad’s work across various arenas, deepen cooperation, and plan offensive operations.
Gofman also believes that ties with the IDF in general, and with the General Staff in particular, should be strengthened and expanded.
