Operation Entebbe

Operation Entebbe
IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Conflict	Operation Entebbe
Part of	Arab–Israeli conflict
Date	July 4, 1976
Place	Entebbe International Airport, Uganda
Result	Successful rescue of hostages

Operation Entebbe. The operation was a successful counter-terrorism mission carried out by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to rescue hostages held at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda by Palestinian militants. The mission was authorized by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and involved coordination with Mossad and Shin Bet. The operation was supported by Israeli Air Force and Israeli Navy.

Background

The Arab–Israeli conflict had been escalating in the 1970s, with Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat and Palestinian National Authority (PNA) officials Faisal Husseini and Hananiya playing key roles. The Soviet Union and its allies, including Cuba and East Germany, were providing support to Palestinian militant groups, such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) led by George Habash. Meanwhile, Idi Amin's regime in Uganda was facing opposition from Milton Obote and Tanzania's Julius Nyerere. The United States and United Kingdom were also involved in the region, with Henry Kissinger and James Callaghan playing key roles in diplomatic efforts.

The Hijacking

On June 27, 1976, an Air France Airbus A300 aircraft was hijacked by Palestinian militants affiliated with the PFLP and Revolutionary Cells (RZ), a German left-wing terrorist group. The hijackers, including Wilfried Böse and Brigitte Kuhlmann, diverted the plane to Benghazi, Libya, and then to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. The hijackers demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and other countries, including West Germany and Switzerland. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and United Nations (UN) officials, such as Kurt Waldheim, were involved in negotiations with the hijackers.

Planning and Preparation

The Israeli government and IDF began planning a rescue mission, code-named Operation Thunderbolt, with the involvement of Mossad and Shin Bet. The mission was led by Dan Shomron and Yoni Netanyahu, who worked closely with Israeli Air Force and Israeli Navy officials, including Mordechai Gur and Avraham Botzer. The IDF assembled a team of commandos, including Sayeret Matkal and Shaldag units, to carry out the rescue. The team conducted extensive planning and reconnaissance, using intelligence gathered by Mossad and Shin Bet.

The Rescue Operation

On July 4, 1976, the IDF rescue team, led by Yoni Netanyahu, arrived at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda aboard Hercules C-130 aircraft. The team quickly overpowered the hijackers and Ugandan Army soldiers, and rescued the hostages. The operation lasted approximately 53 minutes, and all but one of the IDF soldiers, Yoni Netanyahu, were killed or injured. The IDF also destroyed several Ugandan Air Force aircraft on the ground to prevent pursuit. The rescued hostages were flown to Israel on Israeli Air Force aircraft, where they were greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and other officials.

Aftermath

The success of the Operation Entebbe rescue mission was widely praised by the international community, including the United States, United Kingdom, and France. The operation was seen as a significant blow to Palestinian militant groups and their supporters, including Idi Amin's regime in Uganda. The IDF and Mossad were hailed as heroes, and the operation was studied by military and intelligence agencies around the world, including the CIA and MI6. The operation also led to increased cooperation between Israel and other countries, including United States and United Kingdom, in the fight against terrorism. Category:1976 in Israel