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Shin Bet joins FlyDubai pilot questioning

Israeli security officials confirm for the first time that Shin Bet investigators are on the ground in the Emirates, taking part in the interrogation of the pilot who tried to crash a plane carrying over 170 Israelis

Eliana Fleming

OCT 5, 2026 21:56

2 min read

Israeli security officials confirmed for the first time tonight that Shin Bet investigators have flown to the United Arab Emirates and are taking an active part in the interrogation of Muhamad al-Hamami, the co-pilot who attacked the captain with an axe and tried to crash FlyDubai flight 5J 576 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

The Military Censor cleared for publication this evening that Israeli security personnel, led by representatives of the Shin Bet, are on the ground in the Emirates and directly involved in questioning the terrorist pilot.

Security sources confirm that Israel is playing an active role in al-Hamami's interrogation. According to parallel reports, al-Hamami has already admitted that he planned the attack "as revenge for what is happening in Gaza."

Al-Hamami, the first officer, attacked the Indian captain Amit Mokshakar with the cockpit's emergency axe, then attempted to crash the aircraft carrying more than 170 Israelis. According to his confession, al-Hamami planned to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport or into the towers of Tel Aviv if he had been able to do so.

The Omani national had been barred by Oman from flying after he underwent religious radicalization. Investigators are now also questioning those who enabled his employment in the sensitive position and specifically on the Dubai–Tel Aviv route.