Date: October 11, 2023
Byline: Sarah Johnson, columnist
Forty-seven years ago, a daring and historic rescue mission unfolded at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against terrorism and an inspiring demonstration of Israel’s unwavering commitment to the safety of its citizens. The Raid on Entebbe, also known as Operation Thunderbolt, remains etched in the annals of counter-terrorism history as a testament to audacity and heroism.
In June 1976, an Air France flight en route from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked by a group of Palestinian and German terrorists. The hijackers diverted the plane to Entebbe, Uganda, where they were joined by additional terrorists and received support from the Ugandan government led by President Idi Amin.
The 248 passengers on board, including Israeli citizens, faced a harrowing ordeal. The terrorists demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, threatening to execute the hostages if their demands were not met.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation and the imminent threat to their citizens, the Israeli government, led by then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, swiftly embarked on planning a daring rescue mission. The mission was named Operation Thunderbolt.
On July 3, 1976, Israeli commandos, under the leadership of then-Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu (the older brother of the current Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu), executed a covert operation that took the world by surprise. Israeli forces flew over 2,500 miles from Israel to Entebbe, landing in the dead of night under the cover of darkness.
The commandos quickly and decisively stormed the terminal building where the hostages were held. In a lightning-quick operation, they eliminated the terrorists and their Ugandan allies, freeing the hostages. Tragically, Yonatan Netanyahu was mortally wounded in the firefight and became the mission’s only casualty.
[wpadcenter_ad id=687 align=’none’]The raid’s success was a triumph of meticulous planning, audacity, and a display of Israel’s commitment to the principle that no effort would be spared to rescue its citizens from harm. The rescued hostages, along with the fallen hero Yonatan Netanyahu, were flown back to Israel, where they received a hero’s welcome.
Operation Thunderbolt sent shockwaves through the world, proving that terrorism could be confronted and that even the most audacious and well-fortified hijackings could be thwarted. The operation also had a profound influence on counter-terrorism strategies worldwide.
Today, the Raid on Entebbe stands as a symbol of resilience and determination. It serves as a constant reminder that the fight against terrorism demands unwavering commitment and the willingness to undertake daring and audacious actions to protect innocent lives. The memory of the raid continues to inspire those who seek to confront and defeat acts of terrorism, serving as a testament to the bravery of those who undertake such missions and the resilience of the human spirit.