SBS50: Biggest Stories 1976

Rescue Pilot Lifted on Shoulders

The crowd lifting the squadron leader of the rescue planes. (Photo by David Rubinger/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) Credit: David RUBINGER/Corbis via Getty Images

1976 was marked by a dramatic hostage-rescue mission carried out by Israeli soldiers at Entebbe Airport in Uganda on July the 4th.


It began when an Air France plane carrying 248 passengers was hijacked by Palestinians.

Uganda's President Idi Amin arrived at the airport to show his support for the hijackers and even supplied them with soldiers and additional weapons.

The hijackers demanded the release of 53 militants held in jails in Israel and four other countries.

The rescue operation by elite Israeli troops – dubbed Thunderbolt - resulted in a 35-minute battle, in which 20 Ugandan soldiers and all seven hijackers died along with three hostages. 

Five Israeli commandos were wounded in the rescue - and the unit leader Jonathan Netanyahu, older brother of the current Israeli PM, was killed.

Discover more at sbs.com.au/sbs50


Anton

As SBS turns 50, we are looking back at our biggest stories. 1976 was marked by a dramatic hostage rescue mission carried out by Israeli soldiers at Intebbe Airport in Uganda on July 4. It began when an Air France plane carrying 248 passengers was hijacked by Palestinians. Uganda President Iri Amin arrived at the airport to show his support for the hijackers and even supplied them with soldiers and additional weapons. The hijackers demanded the release of 53 militants held in jails in Israel and four other countries. The rescue operation by elite Israeli troops, dubbed Thunderbolt, resulted in a 35 minute battle in which 20 Ugandan soldiers and all seven hijackers died, along with three hostages. Five Israeli commandos were wounded in the rescue, and the unit leader, Yonataan Netanyahu, older brother of the current Israeli prime minister, was killed. Discover more at sbs.com.au

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