Israel marked three years since the October 7, 2023, attack—an event widely regarded as the most devastating in the nation’s history. The anniversary has become a time not only for mourning and remembrance but also for reflecting on the lessons learned and the challenges that remain in ensuring the country’s security.
At a memorial ceremony held Monday at the Zikim military base, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi emphasized that future preparedness must be based not on assumptions about adversaries’ intentions, but on their capabilities. “It is our duty to investigate and ensure that the lessons are implemented so that we may be more worthy of the trust the people have placed in us,” he stated.
Since October 7, Israel has worked to reinforce its borders and improve intelligence practices, but officials acknowledge that threats can arise from unexpected directions. Recent events, including a June incident involving a commercial flight to Tel Aviv, have underscored the evolving and varied nature of risks. The episode involved a flydubai flight where a co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, was removed from the cockpit midflight after exhibiting dangerous behavior. The Indian pilot, Capt. Smit Matchchar, along with Israeli passengers, played key roles in managing the crisis, which ended without casualties.
The incident has raised questions about airline security vetting, particularly concerning foreign pilots operating flights into Israel. Reports indicate that officials in Oman had removed al-Hammami from flying duties over extremism concerns, but flydubai hired him without performing a thorough background check with Omani authorities. Australian officials had previously gathered intelligence on the pilot’s activities during his student years, and Royal Air Maroc declined to hire him following a training period in 2025. Israeli authorities have yet to clarify who is responsible for vetting pilots for flights into the country and how security assessments are conducted.
According to an Israeli source, al-Hammami researched airlines with routes to Tel Aviv and deliberately selected flydubai. While it may be unrealistic to conduct exhaustive intelligence vetting on every foreign pilot landing at Ben-Gurion Airport, the incident has highlighted a potential gap in security procedures. It raises concerns about whether security protocols have adequately adapted to emerging threats within civil aviation.
October 7, 2023, exposed critical flaws in threat assessment. Israeli intelligence knew Hamas possessed the ability to launch a large-scale attack but underestimated their willingness to carry it out. The surprise attack led to significant casualties and political repercussions. Though the flydubai incident was smaller in scale and different in nature, it serves as a warning against complacency.
Security experts argue that routine operations, even those involving trusted partners and seemingly low-risk environments, must be scrutinized continually. The threat posed by radicalized individuals embedded in civilian settings cannot be dismissed because such scenarios appear unlikely. Israel faces the ongoing challenge of allocating finite resources to monitor a broad spectrum of risks while recognizing that surprises are inevitable.
The resilience shown by the passengers and crew during the flydubai flight averted another tragedy, but officials caution that Israel cannot rely on civilian improvisation in future emergencies. The experience has reinforced the imperative to lower tolerance for vulnerabilities and to prioritize preparation for “unthinkable” events.
Three years on, Israel continues to grapple with how best to protect its citizens and confront evolving threats. The anniversary serves as a stark reminder that while not every scenario can be anticipated, failing to adequately prepare for dangerous possibilities carries profound consequences.