Foto:shaon/livejournal
On July 4, 1976, the Israel Defense Forces conducted a daring rescue mission at Entebbe Airport in Uganda, known as Operation Entebbe or Operation Thunderbolt, later renamed Operation Yonatan in honor of the fallen unit commander, Yonatan Netanyahu. This mission became a symbol of bravery and decisiveness.
The Hijacking and Hostage Separation
On June 27, 1976, Palestinian terrorists hijacked an Air France passenger plane on its way from Tel Aviv to Paris via Athens. The plane carried 252 passengers and 12 crew members and was forced to land at Entebbe Airport near Kampala, Uganda. Two days later, the terrorists separated 83 passengers with Israeli passports from the rest.
Terrorist Demands and Operation Planning
The terrorists demanded the release of 53 Palestinians imprisoned for terrorist activities in various countries, threatening to start killing hostages if their demands were not met by July 1. While Israeli diplomats stalled for time, the IDF meticulously planned the rescue operation. They discovered that the Entebbe Airport had been built by an Israeli firm, providing them with detailed plans.
The Swift Raid
On July 3, the Israeli cabinet approved the operation under the command of Major General Yekutiel Adam. Two Hercules transport planes and two Boeing 707s, carrying a hundred commandos, flew 4,000 km to Uganda undetected. One Boeing was designated for the hostages, while the other served as a field hospital.
Storming the Airport
The operation began at 23:00 when the Israeli commandos landed in Entebbe. Disguised as Ugandan President Idi Amin’s entourage, they drove a convoy of jeeps led by a black Mercedes to the terminal. After a brief but intense firefight, all terrorists were killed, but three hostages were also lost.
Returning Home
The operation lasted 90 minutes. The hostages were freed and flown back to Israel. Commander Yonatan Netanyahu was fatally wounded. The Israeli commandos destroyed a significant number of Ugandan fighter jets to prevent pursuit.
Aftermath and Global Reaction
Uganda’s government demanded a UN Security Council meeting to condemn Israel’s actions, but UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim only noted a “serious violation of national sovereignty.” Israeli Ambassador Chaim Herzog emphasized that the operation highlighted Israel’s commitment to human dignity and the value of human life.
Operation Entebbe changed how the world dealt with terrorism, showing that terrorists should be confronted decisively.
