In 1976, Air France Flight 139 was hijacked by Palestinian and German terrorists and diverted to Entebbe, Uganda. Over 100 hostages were taken and held by the terrorists, who demanded the release of dozens of imprisoned militants. The situation was tense and dangerous, and a rescue mission was planned by Israel to save the hostages.
Israel Soldiers in a group of photo before the rescue mission. Photo/Courtesy
What many people do not know is that Kenya played a crucial role in the success of the operation. Here is a look at how Kenya helped Israel successfully stage Operation Entebbe/Thunderbolt or Netanyahu rescue mission.
1. Allowing Israel planes to refuel in Nairobi
The Israeli military needed to fly a long distance from their base to Entebbe to carry out the rescue mission. Without refueling, the planes would not be able to make it to Uganda and back. Kenya, which had diplomatic relations with Israel, allowed Israeli planes to land and refuel in Nairobi before continuing their journey to Uganda.
2. Providing intelligence on the hostages and terrorists.
Kenya had a network of intelligence agents in Uganda who were able to provide critical information on the whereabouts of the hostages and the terrorists. The Kenyan agents were able to communicate this information to Israeli intelligence, which helped in planning the rescue mission.
3. Allowing Israel troops to land in Nairobi.
The rescue mission required a large number of Israeli troops, who needed to be transported to Uganda. Kenya allowed Israeli planes carrying troops to land in Nairobi, where they were able to rest and prepare for the operation.
4. Offering logistical support.
Kenya provided logistical support to the Israeli military during the planning and execution of the rescue mission. This included allowing Israeli intelligence officers to operate from Nairobi and providing medical facilities for wounded soldiers.
5. Providing a safe haven for the hostages.
After the rescue mission was successful, the Israeli military flew the hostages to Nairobi, where they were able to rest and receive medical attention before being flown back to Israel.
The success of Operation Thunderbolt was a testament to the cooperation between Israel and Kenya. Kenya's willingness to help Israel played a critical role in the success of the mission, and the world was able to witness the importance of international cooperation in the face of terrorism.
Although aftermath many Kenyans in Uganda were killed and more than 3,000 chased away by the then Ugandan president Idi Amin Dada. It should be noted that at that time, Amin's military strength was great and no East African nation wanted a direct confrontation with Uganda. It took a bold step by the then Kenyan President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta to allow Israel soldiers to use Kenyan air and airport.
In conclusion, the Entebbe rescue mission was a daring and heroic operation that showed the world the strength and determination of the Israeli military. However, it is important to acknowledge the crucial role played by Kenya in the success of the mission.
Without Kenya's assistance, the rescue mission may not have been possible, and the hostages may not have been saved. The cooperation between Israel and Kenya is an inspiring example of how countries can work together to overcome adversity and achieve common goals.
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