ABC News, citing informed sources, reported that the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking a Flydubai pilot on a flight to Israel told investigators that he intended to shoot the plane down in Israeli territory.

According to ABC News, the suspect was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday and is now cooperating with the investigating authorities.

Reports indicate that Oman Air had suspended the individual from flying after identifying him as an “security threat.” It is said that in 2024, when the co-pilot was a trainee, extremist materials were found about him.

The Wall Street Journal also wrote, citing informed sources, that Omani officials had revoked his flying license due to concerns about the individual’s extremist tendencies, but Flydubai later hired him and put him to work on flights between the UAE and Israel.

It is not yet clear whether Oman shared its security concerns about the individual with other governments or airlines.

After the incident, Flydubai announced that it has temporarily suspended its flights to Tel Aviv at the request of officials and that it is cooperating with an official investigation.