The Israeli Defense Ministry announced on Monday that it has officially recognized the passengers of the flydubai flight that faced an attempted hijacking as victims of hostile actions under national law. This formal designation comes approximately six weeks after the incident occurred on September 30.
The decision followed a review process in which the ministry sought and received confirmation from key investigative agencies. Both the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service, and the Mossad, the foreign intelligence service, validated that the event constituted an attempted terrorist attack. This confirmation was a necessary step before the state could extend specific benefits to the affected individuals.
With the official status now granted, the National Insurance Institute is authorized to contact the victims directly. They will be assessed for eligibility to receive various forms of assistance, which include financial compensation and psychological support services designed for those impacted by hostile acts.
The incident began during a scheduled flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Omani co-pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, attacked the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, using an axe. The strike seriously injured the captain in the head, causing the aircraft to descend rapidly. Passengers, alerted by shouts from the cockpit, realized the plane was heading toward a potential crash.
In a critical moment, the injured captain managed to open the cockpit door. Several passengers, including Yaniv Hayun, Asaf Rajwan, Or Fardilov, and Zvika Mans, rushed into the cockpit area. They overpowered the co-pilot and restrained him using headphone cables to secure his position. Dr. Shota Musayev, a dentist traveling on the flight, provided immediate medical aid to the captain and attempted to control the bleeding.
Two other pilots employed by the airline who were traveling as passengers took over control of the aircraft. They successfully navigated the plane to a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, ensuring the survival of all onboard.
The delay in officially recognizing the event as a hostile act left some passengers in a difficult position. Although they required psychological treatment and financial help, they were unable to access the specific benefits available to victims of terrorism until the Defense Ministry’s designated authority approved their status. This administrative hurdle persisted despite the high-profile nature of the event.
In the immediate aftermath of the landing, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with several of the passengers who had subdued the co-pilot. During this meeting, he addressed Yaniv Hayun, stating, "You are a hero. You deserve a worldwide medal of honor." President Isaac Herzog also held a separate reception for the group, presenting them with awards for bravery.
Defense Minister Israel Katz had described the event as a jihadist terrorist attack on the day it occurred. However, the formal bureaucratic process lagged behind these public statements. Following media reports on the delay, the ministry explained that it was in continuous contact with the National Insurance Institute and was waiting for relevant information from the authorized investigative bodies to finalize the decision.
Now that the formal obstacle has been removed, the passengers can proceed with the process of obtaining the benefits and assistance they are entitled to. The state has completed the administrative steps required to treat the incident as a confirmed act of terrorism for the purpose of granting support.
