Raid on Entebbe

Four terrorists hijack an Air France Airbus A300 departing Athens, acting on orders of Wadie Haddad. They divert the aircraft and its hostages to Entebbe Airport in Uganda with Idi Amin's blessing. The hijacking launches a tense crisis that draws international attention.

Upon arrival in Entebbe, Israeli passengers are identified and non-Jewish hostages are freed. The terrorists issue a set of demands and begin negotiations with the Israeli government. The situation at Entebbe quickly becomes a high-stakes hostage crisis.

The hijackers demand the release of 40 Palestinian militants held in Israel in exchange for the hostages. Negotiations continue as the international community watches closely. The demand becomes central to the crisis.

Prime Minister Rabin's cabinet decides not to yield to the terrorists' demands. A top-secret military raid is approved as the only viable option to save the hostages. This decision moves the crisis from negotiation to a bold airborne rescue plan.

The Israeli Air Force prepares four Lockheed C-130 transports to carry the raid from Israel to Uganda. Planning focuses on a long-range, near-simultaneous assault with minimal casualties. Additional support and air cover are arranged to enable the raid.

Brig. Gen Dan Shomron leads the commando unit assembled for Operation Thunderbolt. The mission requires crossing thousands of miles and coordinating a complex assault. The plan relies on deception, timing, and precise execution.

A black Mercedes limousine is carried on board to impersonate Idi Amin's official car. The ruse fools Ugandan sentries and helps breach the airport defenses. The deception is a key factor in achieving surprise.

A firefight erupts as commandos secure key positions around the terminal. Seven terrorists and 45 Ugandan soldiers are killed in the clashes. Hostages are gathered in preparation for evacuation.

The breach unit commander Yonatan Netanyahu is killed during the assault. Three hostages die in the raid, and Dora Bloch, who had been taken to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, is murdered on Idi Amin's orders. The operation bears a heavy human cost despite its successes.

With the area secured, the hostages are gathered and loaded onto the idling C-130 aircraft for evacuation. A total of 102 hostages ride out as the first leg of the mission returns toward Israel. The rescue proceeds despite the losses incurred.

A follow-on group of Israeli commandos remains behind to destroy Ugandan MiG fighters, preventing any retaliation. The action demonstrates the operation's dual aim: rescue and securing air superiority for the return flight. This sacrifice helps ensure the mission's overall success.

The rescuers refuel in Nairobi with permission from the Kenyan government before continuing to Sharm el-Sheikh. International coordination enables a safe and timely return to Israel. The stopover underscores the logistical complexity of the operation.

The survivors arrive back in Israel, marking the successful completion of the mission. The operation is remembered as a bold and costly covert strike with lasting implications for national security. It remains a defining moment in Israeli military history.