1976 Air France Hijack Movie Source Bing.com
The 1976 Air France hijack was a real-life event that took place on June 27, 1976. The hijackers, members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), hijacked an Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris, with 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board. The hijackers diverted the plane to Entebbe, Uganda, and threatened to kill the passengers and crew unless their demands were met.
Hijacking of the Air France Flight 139
Hijacking Of The Air France Flight 139 Source Bing.com
The hijacking of the Air France Flight 139 was a carefully planned operation by the PFLP. The hijackers were armed with guns and grenades, and they managed to take control of the plane shortly after takeoff from Tel Aviv. The hijackers demanded the release of 40 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, along with other demands.
The plane was diverted to Benghazi, Libya, where it was refueled before flying to Entebbe, Uganda. The hijackers threatened to kill the passengers and crew if their demands were not met. The hijackers separated the Jewish passengers and held them hostage, while the rest of the passengers and crew were held in the terminal building at Entebbe airport.
The Role of the Israeli Government
The Role Of The Israeli Government Source Bing.com
The Israeli government was determined to do everything possible to rescue the hostages. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) put together a plan to rescue the hostages, which involved flying a team of commandos to Entebbe to carry out the rescue operation.
The Israeli government also negotiated with the hijackers, but the negotiations broke down when the hijackers refused to accept the Israeli government’s demands.
The Rescue Operation
The Rescue Operation Source Bing.com
The rescue operation was carried out on July 4, 1976. Israeli commandos, led by Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu, flew to Entebbe in four Hercules transport planes. The commandos landed at Entebbe airport and made their way to the terminal building, where the hostages were being held.
The commandos surprised the hijackers and managed to rescue all but three of the hostages. The rescue operation lasted only 30 minutes, but it was a remarkable success. The Israeli government was able to bring the hostages safely home, and the commandos became national heroes in Israel.
The Aftermath of the Hijacking
The Aftermath Of The Hijacking Source Bing.com
The hijacking of the Air France Flight 139 had a profound impact on the world. It was a clear example of terrorism and the lengths to which terrorists were willing to go to achieve their goals.
The Israeli government was praised for its decisive action in rescuing the hostages, but there were also criticisms of its actions. Some people felt that the rescue operation was a violation of Uganda’s sovereignty, and that it set a dangerous precedent for other countries to take similar actions.
The Movie Adaptation
The Movie Adaptation Source Bing.com
The story of the 1976 Air France hijack has been adapted into a movie, titled “7 Days in Entebbe”. The movie was released in 2018, and it stars Rosamund Pike and Daniel Bruhl.
The movie tells the story of the hijacking and the rescue operation, and it explores the different perspectives of the people involved, including the hijackers, the hostages, and the Israeli government.
Conclusion
The 1976 Air France hijack was a significant event in world history, and it continues to be remembered and studied today. The bravery and heroism of the Israeli commandos who carried out the rescue operation is an inspiration to people around the world.