The signs Israel missed: What was revealed in the investigation of the terrorist pilot

An Israel Hayom editorial by Yoav Limor reveals details from the investigation of co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, who attempted to crash a Flydubai plane in Israeli territory. It was revealed that he was removed from an Omani airline due to radicalization, but was not detected by Israeli intelligence. Limor accuses the National Security Council, the Ministry of Transport, the Shin Bet, and the Mossad of a severe failure, and describes a blame-shifting exercise instead of drawing lessons.

An Israel Hayom editorial by Yoav Limor addresses the security failure that nearly led to a severe aviation disaster. The article centers on the investigation of co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, who attempted to crash a Flydubai plane in Israeli territory. The investigation reveals that al-Hammami was removed from an Omani airline due to radicalization of his views, yet despite this, he managed to get a job at Flydubai and fly to Israel. Limor points to severe failures in Israeli intelligence, which failed to detect the advance warning signs, and in the security systems of the Ministry of Transport, the Shin Bet, and the Mossad. He describes a blame-shifting exercise among the various parties instead of drawing lessons, and warns that the miracle that saved the flight—the alertness and resourcefulness of the passengers—is unlikely to recur. He sharply criticizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he says is busy with photo ops and evading responsibility, and compares the conduct to the avoidance of investigating the October 7 disaster.