Flydubai hijacker planned to kill pilot unnoticed, crash into Tel Aviv skyscraper - report

Hamam al-Hammami, the co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack and crash a flydubai aircraft en route to Israel, reportedly intended to deliberately crash the plane into Tel Aviv skyscrapers, according to an Italian report. The plan was for Hammami to kill the captain, Capt. Smit Machchhar, without raising suspicion, before continuing the journey to Tel Aviv and crashing into the city's buildings.

Israeli authorities are treating this incident as an act by a lone wolf, rather than a coordinated terror group, according to a source. The attack was to be swift, allowing no time for fighter jets to respond, stated the Italian outlet. After Hammami attacked Machchhar with an emergency crash axe, nearly severing his arm, and tried to crash the aircraft by manipulating the control stick and cutting both engines, Machchhar assisted passengers in restraining Hammami and the plane.

Hammami had a history with Oman Air, but was fired for his views considered too aligned with Islamic extremism before joining flydubai eight months ago, as reported by Corriere Della Sera. Australian authorities are investigating Hammami's possible radicalization during his time in Australia. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the AFP, Victoria Police, and ASIO, is examining his links to Australia, with an update expected at a later time, per an AFP spokesperson.

The Financial Times also reported that Hammami allegedly visited radical mosques and extremist websites while in Australia, citing two sources familiar with the investigation. Australian intelligence services had a file on the individual, as per the FT.