Israel would have shot down FlyDubai plane if... Report reveals how it would have responded to a 9/11-like situation

Israel would have considered shooting down FlyDubai flight FZ1073 if the aircraft had become a hijacking threat and approached Israeli territory, according to a CBS News which cited sources familiar with the country's security protocols. The report detailed how Israel would have responded to a scenario similar to the September 11, 2001, attacks, in which hijacked passenger planes were used as weapons against high-value targets.

The revelations came after an incident aboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073 last week, in which the co-pilot of the plane allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe, seriously injuring him. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, sent distress signals after plunging more than 17,000 feet from its cruising altitude of about 34,000 feet. The BBC reported that Machchhar was lying on the flight deck floor when he noticed the sudden loss of altitude and made "one last push" to open the cockpit door.

Once the cockpit door opened, passengers intervened and subdued the attacker. Two off-duty reserve pilots then took control of the aircraft and landed safely at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities took the alleged attacker, identified as Omani national Hammam al-Hammami, into custody. Machchhar was initially treated at a local medical facility before being transferred by medical evacuation to Abu Dhabi. His condition has since stabilized.

How Israel prepared for a 9/11-like situation

According to CBS News, Israel's security apparatus activated an established emergency protocol after the aircraft lost altitude and attempts to contact the cockpit went unanswered. Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled, while Israeli airspace was closed as authorities assessed the situation. A pre-established committee was activated and a command centre was set up.

The jets were later recalled after authorities determined that the aircraft, which was around 400 miles from Israel, had turned towards Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia subsequently scrambled its own fighter aircraft. Had Flight FZ1073 approached within a certain distance of Israel, Israeli fighter jets would have entered Jordanian airspace to investigate, sources told CBS News.

The pilots would have attempted to get as close to the aircraft as possible to inspect the cockpit and establish visual contact with the crew. They would also have observed the passenger cabin to assess the situation on board. If the pilots saw signs of panic or unusual activity, they would have relayed their observations to the Israeli Air Force and the emergency committee.

According to CBS, which cited sources, if authorities concluded that the aircraft had been hijacked and the suspected hijackers maintained radio silence without making demands, the committee would have connected Israel's defence minister and prime minister to make a decision. The protocol reportedly allows for a rogue passenger aircraft approaching Israel to be shot down. However, only the prime minister could authorise such an action.

CBS News reported that Israeli officials would consider a shoot-down if they believed the aircraft posed an imminent threat to a major Israeli target. Sources cited by the broadcaster said this could include the Azrieli Towers, Ben Gurion Airport or another high-value location.

What we know about the alleged attacker

Earlier Reuters, citing sources briefed on the investigation, reported that al-Hammami had studied at a university in Melbourne, Australia. The Financial Times reported on Sunday that al-Hammami had allegedly visited radical mosques and extremist websites while in Australia.

Meanwhile, according to AP, Oman had barred al-Hammami from flying because of concerns that he had adopted extremist views. He was subsequently moved to an administrative position at Oman Air before later being hired by UAE-based FlyDubai.

A Gulf diplomat cited by AP said al-Hammami had undergone standard security checks before being hired, but those checks appeared to focus on criminal convictions rather than examining his background for possible signs of radicalisation.