The co-pilot suspected of attacking the captain aboard a FlyDubai flight has been identified as an Omani national. Separately, an al-Shifa Hospital official said Israeli strikes in Gaza killed five people, including four women.
Here are the latest developments from the Middle East on Saturday. Full coverage is available here.
Suspected co-pilot identified as Omani national
The co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain of an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight before passengers and others intervened has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, three people familiar with the case said. The sources included a Gulf diplomat and a Western diplomat.
The sources spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly. The Gulf diplomat said authorities are examining whether al-Hammami acted as a “lone wolf” or had ties to extremist organizations.
The United Arab Emirates said the co-pilot used the cockpit’s crash axe to attack the captain and attempted to seize control of the aircraft, describing the incident as a “terrorist attack.”
A separate source familiar with the investigation said Oman had previously barred the co-pilot from flying over concerns that he had adopted extremist views. The source spoke anonymously while the inquiry remains ongoing. Officials said the flight, carrying 182 people, nearly crashed after plunging sharply.
– By Samy Magdy, Sam Mednick, Anna Johnson
Hospital reports five deaths in Gaza
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Israeli strikes overnight in Gaza killed five people, according to al-Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies. Four of those killed were women. The hospital said a mother and daughter among the victims were Christians, part of Gaza’s minority Christian community.
A major fire broke out at the strike site, where the blasts ripped a large hole through the ground floor of a multistory building. People were still reported missing beneath the rubble, the hospital said.
Israel’s military did not immediately comment, saying it was checking the details.
At least 1,439 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes since a ceasefire with Hamas was reached nearly a year ago, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. U.N. agencies and independent experts generally consider its figures reliable, although the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants.
Israel says its strikes target Hamas and other militants it considers a threat, as well as responses to ceasefire violations, including sporadic attacks.
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This report will be updated throughout the day as further developments are reported.
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