Operation Entebbe: The Daring Israeli Rescue That Shocked the World
On July 4th, 1976, the world witnessed one of the most daring rescue missions in history — Operation Entebbe, also known as Operation Thunderbolt — carried out by Israeli commandos deep inside hostile territory in Uganda.
It all began on June 27th, 1976, when Air France Flight 139, carrying 248 passengers from Tel Aviv to Paris, was hijacked shortly after a stopover in Athens. The hijackers — two Palestinians and two Germans — diverted the flight, first to Libya, and then to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. At the time, Uganda was under the brutal rule of President Idi Amin, who welcomed and supported the terrorists.
At Entebbe, the hijackers separated the passengers. They freed most non-Israelis, but kept over 100 Israeli and Jewish hostages, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and other countries. They gave Israel a deadly ultimatum — release the prisoners or the hostages die.
But while the world waited, Israel was planning something bold.
With help from Mossad intelligence, details from released hostages, and even airport blueprints (from Israeli firms that built it), Israel prepared a top-secret rescue mission — flying over 2,500 miles into enemy territory.
On the night of July 3rd, four Israeli C-130 Hercules planes flew low, under radar, landing at Entebbe just before midnight. Disguised as Ugandan officials, commandos drove out in a black Mercedes — like Amin’s own — and launched a surprise assault.
In just 90 minutes, Israeli forces:
Killed all the hijackers
Destroyed Ugandan military planes
Rescued 102 hostages
Lost only one soldier — Yonatan Netanyahu, the heroic unit commander and elder brother of current Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sadly, three hostages died during the rescue, and one elderly woman, Dora Bloch, who had been hospitalized before the raid, was later murdered on Idi Amin’s orders.
The world was stunned. Israel had pulled off what seemed impossible — a long-distance rescue operation in the heart of Africa. Many nations praised the courage and precision of the Israeli forces. The mission became a model for anti-terrorism operations worldwide.
Today, Operation Entebbe is remembered as a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and the unshakable resolve to protect innocent lives — no matter the distance.
On July 4th, 1976, the world witnessed one of the most daring rescue missions in history — Operation Entebbe, also known as Operation Thunderbolt — carried out by Israeli commandos deep inside hostile territory in Uganda.
It all began on June 27th, 1976, when Air France Flight 139, carrying 248 passengers from Tel Aviv to Paris, was hijacked shortly after a stopover in Athens. The hijackers — two Palestinians and two Germans — diverted the flight, first to Libya, and then to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. At the time, Uganda was under the brutal rule of President Idi Amin, who welcomed and supported the terrorists.
At Entebbe, the hijackers separated the passengers. They freed most non-Israelis, but kept over 100 Israeli and Jewish hostages, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and other countries. They gave Israel a deadly ultimatum — release the prisoners or the hostages die.
But while the world waited, Israel was planning something bold.
With help from Mossad intelligence, details from released hostages, and even airport blueprints (from Israeli firms that built it), Israel prepared a top-secret rescue mission — flying over 2,500 miles into enemy territory.
On the night of July 3rd, four Israeli C-130 Hercules planes flew low, under radar, landing at Entebbe just before midnight. Disguised as Ugandan officials, commandos drove out in a black Mercedes — like Amin’s own — and launched a surprise assault.
In just 90 minutes, Israeli forces:
Killed all the hijackers
Destroyed Ugandan military planes
Rescued 102 hostages
Lost only one soldier — Yonatan Netanyahu, the heroic unit commander and elder brother of current Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sadly, three hostages died during the rescue, and one elderly woman, Dora Bloch, who had been hospitalized before the raid, was later murdered on Idi Amin’s orders.
The world was stunned. Israel had pulled off what seemed impossible — a long-distance rescue operation in the heart of Africa. Many nations praised the courage and precision of the Israeli forces. The mission became a model for anti-terrorism operations worldwide.
Today, Operation Entebbe is remembered as a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and the unshakable resolve to protect innocent lives — no matter the distance.
✈️🇮🇱 Operation Entebbe: The Daring Israeli Rescue That Shocked the World
On July 4th, 1976, the world witnessed one of the most daring rescue missions in history — Operation Entebbe, also known as Operation Thunderbolt — carried out by Israeli commandos deep inside hostile territory in Uganda.
It all began on June 27th, 1976, when Air France Flight 139, carrying 248 passengers from Tel Aviv to Paris, was hijacked shortly after a stopover in Athens. The hijackers — two Palestinians and two Germans — diverted the flight, first to Libya, and then to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. At the time, Uganda was under the brutal rule of President Idi Amin, who welcomed and supported the terrorists.
At Entebbe, the hijackers separated the passengers. They freed most non-Israelis, but kept over 100 Israeli and Jewish hostages, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and other countries. They gave Israel a deadly ultimatum — release the prisoners or the hostages die.
But while the world waited, Israel was planning something bold.
With help from Mossad intelligence, details from released hostages, and even airport blueprints (from Israeli firms that built it), Israel prepared a top-secret rescue mission — flying over 2,500 miles into enemy territory.
On the night of July 3rd, four Israeli C-130 Hercules planes flew low, under radar, landing at Entebbe just before midnight. Disguised as Ugandan officials, commandos drove out in a black Mercedes — like Amin’s own — and launched a surprise assault.
💥 In just 90 minutes, Israeli forces:
Killed all the hijackers
Destroyed Ugandan military planes
Rescued 102 hostages
Lost only one soldier — Yonatan Netanyahu, the heroic unit commander and elder brother of current Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sadly, three hostages died during the rescue, and one elderly woman, Dora Bloch, who had been hospitalized before the raid, was later murdered on Idi Amin’s orders.
The world was stunned. Israel had pulled off what seemed impossible — a long-distance rescue operation in the heart of Africa. Many nations praised the courage and precision of the Israeli forces. The mission became a model for anti-terrorism operations worldwide.
🕊️ Today, Operation Entebbe is remembered as a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and the unshakable resolve to protect innocent lives — no matter the distance.
