The co‑pilot suspected of stabbing the captain of an Israel‑bound FlyDubai flight has been identified as an Omani national, Hamam al‑Hammami, according to Gulf and Western diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The investigators said he used the cockpit’s crash axe in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft, which carried 182 passengers and crew, before passengers and crew subdued him.
Oman had previously barred him from flying after concerns he had adopted extremist views, a source familiar with the matter said.
The United Arab Emirates described the incident as a terrorist attack.
In Gaza, Israeli strikes overnight killed five people, including four women, according to al‑Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. Among the dead were a mother and daughter who are Christians, a minority in the enclave.
A large fire erupted at the strike site, tearing a gaping hole in the ground floor of a multi‑story building, with several people still reported missing beneath the debris.
Israel’s military has not yet commented, saying it is gathering information.
Since a ceasefire with Hamas was reached nearly a year ago, Israeli strikes have killed at least 1,439 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, a figure regarded as reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.
Israel says its operations target Hamas and other militants it considers a threat, and are in response to ceasefire violations, including occasional attacks.
