Flydubai co-pilot planned to target Tel Aviv skyscraper or Ben-Gurion Airport — report

Hamam al-Hammami, the Flydubai co-pilot accused of trying to hijack and crash a Tel Aviv-bound flight, told interrogators he intended to target either a Tel Aviv skyscraper or Ben-Gurion Airport, according to a source cited by The Jerusalem Post. He reportedly said he planned the operation before he was even hired by the airline, and used recent work visits to Israel to gather intelligence.

Reports say Hammami postponed an earlier attempt in late September after a crisis of conscience tied to his closeness with a crew member. The flight was ultimately diverted to Saudi Arabia after two off-duty pilots traveling as passengers intervened; all passengers were reported safe.

Israeli authorities are treating Hammami as a likely lone actor rather than someone acting on orders from a terror group. He was reportedly fired from a previous airline over views described as close to Islamic extremism, and Australian authorities are investigating whether he was radicalized there.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.