On July 4, 1976, the world witnessed one of the most audacious and successful hostage rescue operations in history. Israeli commandos, under the leadership of Brigadier General Dan Shomron, launched a lightning raid on Entebbe Airport in Uganda to free 106 hostages held by Palestinian and German hijackers. This operation, officially known as Operation Thunderbolt but later renamed Operation Yonatan, demonstrated Israel's resolve to protect its citizens and became a defining moment in counter-terrorism efforts.
The crisis began on June 27, 1976, when Air France Flight 139, en route from Tel Aviv to Paris, was hijacked by two members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and two members of Germany's Revolutionary Cells. The hijackers diverted the plane to Entebbe, where they were welcomed by Uganda's dictator, Idi Amin. The terrorists demanded the release of 53 militants held in Israel and four other countries, threatening to kill the hostages if their demands were not met.
As negotiations stalled and the deadline approached, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, made the bold decision to attempt a rescue. The planning and execution of the operation fell to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), with significant input from Israeli intelligence agencies, including Mossad and Aman. The operation was meticulously planned, with every detail scrutinized to ensure the highest chance of success.
The rescue force consisted of approximately 100 elite commandos, primarily from the Sayeret Matkal unit, along with members of the Paratroopers Brigade and Golani Brigade. They flew over 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) in four C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, maintaining radio silence and flying at low altitudes to avoid detection. The plan relied heavily on the element of surprise and precise intelligence about the airport layout and the hostages' location.
The operation began just before midnight on July 3, with the first C-130 touching down at Entebbe Airport. The Israeli forces quickly disembarked, using a black Mercedes similar to Idi Amin's official car and two Land Rovers as decoys. Within minutes, the commandos stormed the old terminal building where the hostages were held, neutralizing the hijackers and Ugandan soldiers guarding the premises. The entire operation on the ground lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Despite the operation's overall success, it was not without cost. Three hostages were killed in the crossfire, and a fourth, who had been taken to a hospital earlier, was later murdered by Ugandan troops. On the Israeli side, the mission's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu (brother of future Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu), was fatally wounded during the initial assault. Seven hijackers, about 45 Ugandan soldiers, and all seven crew members of the hijacked Air France plane were killed.
The Entebbe raid had significant international repercussions. It was widely hailed as a triumph of planning, execution, and courage, boosting Israel's reputation for military prowess and its commitment to protecting its citizens worldwide. The operation also set a new standard for counter-terrorism operations and influenced military doctrine in many countries. However, it strained Israel's relations with Uganda and some African nations, and led to debates about the legality and ethics of such long-range military operations in sovereign countries.
