Operation Entebbe

The raid on Entebbe, actually called Operation Jonathan after the raid commander, Col. Jonathan Netanyahu, occurred on the night of July 3 and early morning of July 4, 1976. Three Hercules transport aircraft landed at the Entebbe[?], Uganda airport to free hostages taken on Air France flight 193[?].

Over a hundred IDF troops including the elite Sayeret team arrived to conduct the assault; some Mossad troops might have taken part in the assault as well. Late at night, the assault began. The terrorists had chosen to keep only Jewish prisoners, angering the Israeli troops. The raid lasted only 100 seconds and six terrorists were killed. One hostage was killed when he leaped at the Israeli forces. Of the 83 hostages on board, 82 were removed alive. It is speculated that Israel captured some hostages but there is no confirmation of that. Ugandan forces also opened fire on Israeli troops killing Col. Netanyahu. 45 Ugandan soldiers were killed and all Ugandan fighter planes at the airport were destroyed.

The operation diary can be found at http://www.idf.il/english/history/entebbe1.stm