AI-written summary of reporting by The Times of India. No human editor reviewed this. AI can misread or omit facts — read the original, linked below.
ABSTRACT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar to light a flame at Israel's Independence Day event, saying Machchhar is a hero of Israel, India and the entire world for his actions on an Israel-bound flydubai flight. Netanyahu spoke with Machchhar, 38, on Saturday while the pilot was being treated at a hospital in the UAE, according to Netanyahu's office.

The Times of India

Netanyahu invites Indian pilot Machchhar to light flame at Israel Independence Day event

Netanyahu invites Indian pilot Machchhar to light flame at Israel Independence Day event
Oct 3, 2026, 4:54 PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar to light a flame at Israel's Independence Day event, saying Machchhar is a hero of Israel, India and the entire world for his actions on an Israel-bound flydubai flight. Netanyahu spoke with Machchhar, 38, on Saturday while the pilot was being treated at a hospital in the UAE, according to Netanyahu's office.

Context

The incident took place on Wednesday aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers to Israel, according to the source. Machchhar was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot with a crash axe, an emergency tool kept inside the cockpit, the source states. The aircraft transmitted emergency signals and made a descent of more than 17,000 feet, from 34,000 feet, and eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Part of the aircraft's rudder was reportedly torn away.

Machchhar recounted the attack to Netanyahu during the call. He said the co-pilot had wanted to pray before the attack, and that he looked toward the front of the cockpit out of respect while the co-pilot prayed. "...while he was praying, out of respect, I was just looking at the front and not at the back, and suddenly, after, I would say about four-five minutes, there was a big blow to the back of my head. My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the aircraft and something was not right. But then after that, the blows kept coming one after the other, and that's when I realised that it's not the aircraft, it's the other guy who was in the cockpit with me," Machchhar said, according to the source.

Netanyahu's office said on X that the prime minister asked Machchhar how it started and that Machchhar revealed new details about the cockpit events. The office said Netanyahu invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Machchhar to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day, and quoted Netanyahu as telling Machchhar: "It's our highest honour that we give on our Independence Day. It's usually reserved for Israeli citizens, but I think here in this case, all the citizens of Israel will embrace you."

The co-pilot has been identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the matter. Machchhar received initial treatment in Tabuk before being shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care, the source states.

All Perspectives
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister: Netanyahu told Machchhar, "You saved so many souls. I think you saved something bigger. You saved the spirit of the world...It's something that is being justly hailed around the world. You're a hero of Israel. You're a hero of India. You're a hero of the entire world." He added, "You know, I guess it's a twist of fate, and a twist of faith, and what you did is remarkable. I heard, of course, from the Israeli passengers what transpired after that, and you're a great hero, and you were accompanied by heroes, and you saved the day," and said he was "amazed at his courage" and "at your coolness of judgment under impossible conditions." His office said on X, "You are a hero for Israel, India, and the entire world. I invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and you to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day."
Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot: Machchhar told Netanyahu that the co-pilot had wanted to pray before the attack, and that he looked toward the front of the cockpit out of respect while the co-pilot prayed. He described a blow to the back of his head about four to five minutes later, saying, "My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the aircraft and something was not right. But then after that, the blows kept coming one after the other, and that's when I realised that it's not the aircraft, it's the other guy who was in the cockpit with me."
Position not represented in the source reporting: Hamam al-Hammami, the co-pilot identified as Machchhar's alleged attacker, whose account or response the source does not include.
Gaps & Unknowns
  • The source does not state whether the co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, has been charged, detained, or has responded to the allegation that he attacked Machchhar.
  • The source does not state a motive for the alleged attack.
  • The source does not give a calendar date for the Wednesday incident or for the Saturday call, stating only the weekday.
  • The source does not state whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Machchhar has accepted the invitation, or when Israel's Independence Day event is to be held.
  • The source does not state the condition of the 174 passengers on board or whether anyone other than Machchhar was injured.
  • The source attributes the co-pilot's identity to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the matter and does not state that any authority has confirmed the name.
Sources & Further Reading
  1. The Times of India — original

Read the original at The Times of India

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