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Narrator:
An international flight
hijacked by armed terrorists
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is flown to hostile territory.
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Every few hours, they say that
they are going to execute us.
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Narrator: Demands are made.
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Deadlines are set.
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[ Gun cocks ]
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An elite special-forces team
known as the unit
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moves into action.
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To kill someone
is relatively simple.
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To rescue someone
is much more complicated.
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Narrator:
As time is running out,
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a daring plan is launched
from thousands of Miles away.
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It will stand as one of the most
bold special-force operations
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in modern history.
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[ Machine-gun fire ]
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Narrator: Now on "black ops,"
behind the scenes of
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one of the most daring rescue
missions ever made --
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operation thunderbolt.
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-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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captions paid for by
discovery communications
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air France flight 139
from Tel Aviv to Paris
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makes a stopover in Athens.
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On board the airplane are
248 passengers and crew members.
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I was putting nail Polish
on my nails,
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and we were talking to the girls
sitting in front of us.
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I didn't suspect anything.
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Narrator: Shortly after takeoff,
terrorists storm the cockpit.
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One of them takes over the radio
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and announces
the flight is hijacked.
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No one knows where it's headed.
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In Jerusalem, a routine
cabinet meeting is interrupted,
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and the message is delivered
to prime minister yitzhak rabin.
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Defense minister shimon peres
is also getting the news.
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Peres: A man came in
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and handed me over
a small piece of information
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that said that an
air France plane was hijacked.
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Good evening.
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An air France jet was hijacked
by palestinian guerillas today.
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Narrator:
The hijacking of flight 139
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is just the latest
in a string of terrorist attacks
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targeting Israeli citizens.
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[ Machine-gun fire ]
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[ Camera shutter clicking ]
4 years earlier, in 1972,
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11 Israeli athletes were killed
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in an attack on their compound
at the Munich Olympics.
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[ Siren wailing ]
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[ Machine-gun fire ]
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In the same year,
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terrorists shot and killed
26 passengers
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waiting for their luggage
in Tel Aviv's airport.
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[ Gunfire ]
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And in 1974,
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terrorists sieged a high school
in northern Israel,
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killing 22,
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most of them young students.
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[ Indistinct shouting ]
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Immediately after the hijacking,
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Israeli special forces
are put on high alert.
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The authorities
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are expecting the plane
to arrive in Tel Aviv...
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But the hijackers
have a different plan.
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One of them is a trained pilot.
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He instructs the captain
to divert the flight to Libya.
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Ben dor: He knew
exactly how to fly an airplane,
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and he had
the maps that he needed,
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and he followed our pilot
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to see that he is taking him
wherever he wants to go.
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Narrator:
On the ground in Libya,
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one desperate passenger pretends
to be having a miscarriage
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in an attempt to escape.
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She is released
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and is immediately met by
Israeli intelligence officers.
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They learn from her that
there are four terrorists --
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two German and two palestinian.
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They're armed with
guns and grenades.
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The plane continued to fly,
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and we didn't know
to which destination.
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Narrator:
It is headed to Africa.
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In the early hours of June 28th,
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air France flight 139 lands
in entebbe airport in Uganda,
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more than 2,000 Miles
from Tel Aviv.
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At first, the passengers think
the crisis is coming to an end.
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They told us we are
going to be released in Uganda.
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Narrator: But as soon as they
get off the plane,
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their hopes are dashed.
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There were
two rows of ugandan soldiers
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standing with guns,
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and we were in the middle
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and they led us into
the terminal of entebbe.
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That was
the second very big shock.
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Ben dor: We were sure
that we are free -- free to go.
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And then we saw that
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lots of ugandan soldiers
are waiting for us there,
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and six more terrorists
were waiting for us there.
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Narrator: Instead of
being released, they're led to
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an unused terminal
in entebbe airport.
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They told us
that we are going to stay there.
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And later, they brought us
mattresses and blankets.
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Narrator: Soon, they receive
a visit from idi amin,
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Uganda's unpredictable
and ruthless ruler.
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He offers his services
as a mediator in the crisis.
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Negotiations between the
hijackers and ugandan officials,
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led by president idi amin,
were at a stalemate,
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but the hijackers did
allow the plane's 256 passengers
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to wait in the airport lounge.
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Narrator: In Jerusalem,
the cabinet ministers
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are wondering
if amin can be trusted.
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Peres: We didn't know yet,
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is it in coordination
with Uganda people,
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was it prearranged?
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We didn't
have the slightest idea.
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Narrator: The hijackers still
haven't issued any demands.
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The passengers,
unsure of their fate,
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spend a nervous night
in entebbe airport.
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In the morning,
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the terrorists
make an announcement.
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Davidson:
They are going to separate
part of us to the other room,
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and it will be
more comfort for all of us.
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It sounds reasonable.
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Ben dor: They started to
call us by names.
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After the first few names,
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we understood that
they are calling
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the Israeli people
and the Jewish people.
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It was
a very frightening moment.
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Narrator: For many passengers,
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the process of a selection
between Jews and non-Jews
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bears echoes of the holocaust.
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Davidson: It's such a despair.
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It's such a feeling of,
"that's it -- the end,"
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because you can't do anything.
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And we knew that
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they are going to
release all the others.
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Peres: They separated
between Jews and non-Jews.
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The fact that they are Germans
and they made a separation
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really made me outraged.
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Narrator: In Jerusalem,
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the leaders anxiously follow
the news reports from entebbe
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as the terrorists
announce their demands.
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But the hijackers
threatened to kill
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the more than
200 remaining hostages,
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including 7 Americans,
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unless Israel
and 4 other countries
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release 53
pro-palestinian prisoners.
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Narrator: The hijackers set
a deadline for their demands.
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Eiran:
The terrorists sent us a message
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that if they are not
going to get the answer
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in the next 12 hours
or 10 hours,
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they'll start to
execute passengers one by one,
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on an hourly basis.
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Narrator: Israel has
a long-standing policy
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not to
give in to terrorists' demands.
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Defense minister shimon peres
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knows he needs to start
setting in motion a response.
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Peres: If we can find
a political way, why not?
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But parallel, I started to
look for a military solution.
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[ Machine-gun fire ]
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Narrator: Peres will turn to
the Israeli defense forces.
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They have a reputation as
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one of the best-trained armies
in the world.
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Its elite special-forces units
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have carried out
many daring operations.
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They had
a force that was capable.
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The consequence of them failing,
I think, was great.
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The consequence
of the success...
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Was even greater.
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Narrator:
But Uganda is 2,000 Miles away.
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Staging a rescue mission
so far from home
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and under such a tight deadline
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seems impossible.
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Israel
desperately needs more time.
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Narrator: Armed hijackers
are holding hundreds of hostages
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at an airport terminal
in entebbe, in Uganda.
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They are demanding
the release of terrorists
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jailed all around the world.
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Unless their demands are met
within 24 hours,
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they will start
executing hostages.
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2,000 Miles away,
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the Israeli leaders
are trying to devise a response.
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Peres:
I thought we have a chance,
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with a little bit of daring --
or much daring --
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and decisiveness
and surprise and ingenuity,
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to do the job.
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Narrator: Any operation
would be extremely risky.
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Zinke: This was
a push for an emerging country.
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It happened at a period of time
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where you had an emerging nation
whose destiny was uncertain.
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Narrator:
But the intelligence is minimal.
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They don't know
how many terrorists are involved
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or if they have
the backing of the ugandan army.
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They could be facing thousands
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in hostile
and unfamiliar territory...
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...but defense minister peres
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is pushing for a plan.
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The first I called in was
the commander of the air force,
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whom I like very much.
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I called in
the other young commanders.
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They said,
"look, we have to look at a map.
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"We have to check where
are the radar stations,
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how can we land."
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Narrator: Joshua shani,
one of Israel's top pilots,
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gets an urgent phone call.
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[ Telephone rings ]
Shani: It's very unusual
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to get a direct call
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from the commander
of the air force.
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And what he wanted to know
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is very basic information
about the range,
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about the payload
that we can take,
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about the fuel needed,
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about the route
that it's possible or not to do.
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I gave him, one by one,
everything he needed to know,
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and then he say,
"come back to the headquarters.
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We'll start planning."
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[ Indistinct shouting ]
[ Gunfire ]
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Narrator:
The planners need to know
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how big of a threat
is the ugandan army.
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They turn to muki bezer,
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a commander
with Israel's special forces
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who knows
the African forces well.
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Bezer: [ Speaking Hebrew ]
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Interpreter: I was sent
to train the paratroopers unit
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for two years.
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They asked me, "muki,
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what do you know
about the ugandan army?"
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I said,
"listen, the ugandan army
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"is not exactly
a well-trained army --
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not like the idf, in any case."
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Narrator: The planning group
considers several options.
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One involves dropping
boats and a parachute force
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into lake Victoria by entebbe.
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Bezer: [ Speaking Hebrew ]
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Interpreter: We've tested
parachuting into lake Victoria,
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but we didn't have
any experience with such things.
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And Navy seals tried it,
and the boats exploded.
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Shani: Technically, we did not
do well in the exercise.
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One boat was blown up,
and it was kind of...
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And the second round was better,
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but, say, 50% is not good enough
for an operation like this.
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Narrator:
The risks of a failed operation
start to sink in.
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I thought, "if it will fail,
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"it will be
a boost for terrorists.
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"It will be a shame for Israel.
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It will make our army
look as a second-rate army."
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[ Indistinct shouting ]
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Narrator:
Meanwhile, the government
is under enormous pressure
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from the families
of the hostages
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to give in
to the terrorists' demands.
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Incredibly,
it agrees to negotiate.
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Man: The prime minister
saw a representative group
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and revealed that the
government has decided to
250
00:13:36,550 --> 00:13:37,715
negotiate with the hijackers
251
00:13:37,717 --> 00:13:40,418
to secure the release
of all of the hostages
252
00:13:40,420 --> 00:13:42,353
and was ready to
release some terrorists
253
00:13:42,355 --> 00:13:45,023
held in Israeli jails
in return.
254
00:13:45,025 --> 00:13:47,225
[ Shouting continues ]
255
00:13:50,162 --> 00:13:51,663
Eiran: Their message was,
256
00:13:51,665 --> 00:13:55,800
do whatever we can
to meet the terrorists' demand
257
00:13:55,802 --> 00:14:02,173
and free our fathers
and mothers and relatives.
258
00:14:02,875 --> 00:14:05,476
Narrator:
Secretly, the military planners
continue to work
259
00:14:05,478 --> 00:14:09,581
according to new guidelines
set by the prime minister.
260
00:14:09,583 --> 00:14:12,317
Eiran: One, it should be
a complete surprise.
261
00:14:12,319 --> 00:14:15,987
"B," the time
the planes will land
262
00:14:15,989 --> 00:14:18,289
and the military operation
will start
263
00:14:18,291 --> 00:14:23,394
should be limited to
a specific number of minutes.
264
00:14:23,596 --> 00:14:26,564
Narrator: Still, with no
realistic military option,
265
00:14:26,566 --> 00:14:27,899
the Israeli government
decides to
266
00:14:27,901 --> 00:14:31,302
try to pressure idi amin
to solve the crisis.
267
00:14:31,304 --> 00:14:36,507
An old Israeli friend of the
ugandan president calls him.
268
00:14:38,644 --> 00:14:40,278
The talks convince the leaders
269
00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:41,613
that their only remaining option
270
00:14:41,615 --> 00:14:45,650
is to mount
a daring military raid.
271
00:14:48,554 --> 00:14:49,988
But continuing the negotiations
272
00:14:49,990 --> 00:14:54,659
may allow them to buy time
to gather more intelligence.
273
00:14:54,661 --> 00:14:56,294
Bezer: [ Speaking Hebrew ]
274
00:14:56,296 --> 00:14:59,664
Interpreter: We got
super 8 films and photographs.
275
00:14:59,666 --> 00:15:02,800
They gave us
information about the distances.
276
00:15:02,802 --> 00:15:04,235
We were watching TV.
277
00:15:04,237 --> 00:15:06,437
Amin was coming in
every evening to see them.
278
00:15:06,439 --> 00:15:09,040
So intelligence
was coming in slowly,
279
00:15:09,042 --> 00:15:12,277
but this wasn't
operational intelligence.
280
00:15:12,878 --> 00:15:15,380
Narrator: On Wednesday,
less than 24 hours before
281
00:15:15,382 --> 00:15:17,815
the deadline they've set
for executions expires,
282
00:15:17,817 --> 00:15:20,785
the hijackers
release the non-Israeli hostages
283
00:15:20,787 --> 00:15:25,056
and allow them
to fly back to Paris.
284
00:15:25,058 --> 00:15:28,059
It's their first mistake.
285
00:15:28,694 --> 00:15:31,529
Eiran: We sent a team to Paris
to interview them.
286
00:15:31,531 --> 00:15:32,330
[ Indistinct conversations ]
287
00:15:32,332 --> 00:15:35,767
Find out as much as we can --
details --
288
00:15:35,769 --> 00:15:39,604
of what is taking place
at the terminal.
289
00:15:40,172 --> 00:15:42,707
Narrator:
This is a critical breakthrough.
290
00:15:42,709 --> 00:15:44,943
The released passengers
provide them information
291
00:15:44,945 --> 00:15:46,811
about the number of terrorists,
292
00:15:46,813 --> 00:15:48,279
the ugandan troops helping them,
293
00:15:48,281 --> 00:15:51,449
and the exact location
of the hostages.
294
00:15:52,418 --> 00:15:53,885
With the new intelligence,
295
00:15:53,887 --> 00:15:58,189
the odds that the raid may work
improve.
296
00:15:58,191 --> 00:15:59,891
Interpreter: We were sure that
297
00:15:59,893 --> 00:16:03,962
coming to entebbe
from out of the blue,
298
00:16:03,964 --> 00:16:09,067
and entebbe
is so far away from Israel,
299
00:16:09,069 --> 00:16:10,301
and with our force,
300
00:16:10,303 --> 00:16:13,771
we can finish it
in less than 2 minutes.
301
00:16:14,473 --> 00:16:16,941
Magness: They're trying to
gain that upper hand again,
302
00:16:16,943 --> 00:16:19,243
attack the enemy on your terms,
303
00:16:19,245 --> 00:16:21,612
trying to achieve
that element of surprise,
304
00:16:21,614 --> 00:16:22,313
and that was probably
305
00:16:22,315 --> 00:16:23,815
the greatest thing
they had going for them.
306
00:16:23,817 --> 00:16:26,784
Narrator: Then, another piece
of encouraging news arrives.
307
00:16:26,786 --> 00:16:31,222
Only hours before the executions
are due to begin in entebbe,
308
00:16:31,224 --> 00:16:35,593
the hijackers
agree to extend the deadline.
309
00:16:35,595 --> 00:16:39,330
We needed time to keep quiet
310
00:16:39,332 --> 00:16:43,468
and to keep their attention
around the negotiations.
311
00:16:43,470 --> 00:16:46,838
If the slightest rumor
or indication will leak
312
00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:51,242
that we have a
military intention, we lost it.
313
00:16:52,444 --> 00:16:56,147
Narrator: The top-secret
Israeli counterterrorism team
314
00:16:56,149 --> 00:16:57,315
simply known as the unit
315
00:16:57,317 --> 00:17:00,752
has been put on high alert
when the crisis began.
316
00:17:00,754 --> 00:17:04,022
It's time
to mobilize the troops.
317
00:17:04,024 --> 00:17:04,889
[ Speaking Hebrew ]
318
00:17:04,891 --> 00:17:07,025
Interpreter:
It's a very special unit.
319
00:17:07,027 --> 00:17:08,726
It's the cream of the crop.
320
00:17:08,728 --> 00:17:11,396
It was developed over the years
to carry out
321
00:17:11,398 --> 00:17:15,900
intelligence and
counterterrorism operations...
322
00:17:16,101 --> 00:17:20,872
...and others we call
the long arm of the idf.
323
00:17:24,877 --> 00:17:26,511
Narrator:
The unit has built its mystique
324
00:17:26,513 --> 00:17:28,946
by carrying out
the most daring missions,
325
00:17:28,948 --> 00:17:31,149
operating behind enemy lines,
326
00:17:31,151 --> 00:17:33,284
and rescuing hostages.
327
00:17:33,286 --> 00:17:35,653
It has a significant reputation
328
00:17:35,655 --> 00:17:38,156
because it took part in
many special operations.
329
00:17:38,158 --> 00:17:41,559
Narrator:
Like other black-ops units
around the world,
330
00:17:41,561 --> 00:17:42,693
the unit's operators have to
331
00:17:42,695 --> 00:17:45,363
go through a
grueling selection camp to join.
332
00:17:45,365 --> 00:17:48,599
The few who pass it
are invited to the team.
333
00:17:48,601 --> 00:17:53,471
The first and foremost attribute
or feature is determination.
334
00:17:53,473 --> 00:17:54,439
[ Speaking Hebrew ]
335
00:17:54,441 --> 00:17:57,442
Interpreter: The operators need
a combination of skills --
336
00:17:57,444 --> 00:18:01,345
physical ability, intelligence,
good technical skills,
337
00:18:01,347 --> 00:18:06,084
and social skills,
because it's teamwork.
338
00:18:08,053 --> 00:18:10,254
Narrator: Only a few
of the unit's operations
339
00:18:10,256 --> 00:18:12,023
have ever been made public --
340
00:18:12,025 --> 00:18:15,026
among them, rescuing hostages
from terrorists
341
00:18:15,028 --> 00:18:19,730
who hijacked
a sabena airline flight in 1972.
342
00:18:20,566 --> 00:18:22,333
When the plane arrived
in Tel Aviv,
343
00:18:22,335 --> 00:18:26,938
the troops pretended to be
technicians coming to fix it.
344
00:18:28,273 --> 00:18:32,877
They then stormed it
and rescued all the passengers.
345
00:18:33,579 --> 00:18:36,714
In operation spring of youth
in 1973,
346
00:18:36,716 --> 00:18:38,583
the unit
conducted a raid in Lebanon,
347
00:18:38,585 --> 00:18:39,851
killing those responsible for
348
00:18:39,853 --> 00:18:43,721
the massacre of Israeli athletes
during the Munich Olympics.
349
00:18:43,723 --> 00:18:44,489
Bezer: [ Speaking Hebrew ]
350
00:18:44,491 --> 00:18:46,657
Interpreter:
We came from the sea --
351
00:18:46,659 --> 00:18:48,626
came in with the Navy seals.
352
00:18:48,628 --> 00:18:50,728
We were dressed as tourists.
353
00:18:50,730 --> 00:18:52,363
Ehud barak was my partner.
354
00:18:52,365 --> 00:18:54,065
He was dressed as a woman.
355
00:18:54,067 --> 00:18:55,466
We got to the heart of beirut
356
00:18:55,468 --> 00:18:59,237
and took out three terrorist
leaders in retaliation.
357
00:18:59,239 --> 00:19:00,404
Peres: I thought, "those boys --
358
00:19:00,406 --> 00:19:02,974
"if there is somebody
in the world that can do it,
359
00:19:02,976 --> 00:19:03,541
"they will do it.
360
00:19:03,543 --> 00:19:06,177
"And they are ready
to pay with their life
361
00:19:06,179 --> 00:19:10,414
without
the slightest hesitation."
362
00:19:11,016 --> 00:19:14,152
Narrator: The unit
is the best chance Israel has.
363
00:19:14,154 --> 00:19:16,254
They only have hours
to come up with the plan
364
00:19:16,256 --> 00:19:20,224
before the deadline
set by the terrorists expires.
365
00:19:20,226 --> 00:19:22,193
[ Machine-gun fire ]
366
00:19:30,569 --> 00:19:33,571
Narrator: A rescue operation
by an elite commando unit
367
00:19:33,573 --> 00:19:36,541
is the only hope
for more than 100 hostages
368
00:19:36,543 --> 00:19:39,177
held by armed terrorists.
369
00:19:40,979 --> 00:19:43,114
The terrorists
have issued an ultimatum
370
00:19:43,116 --> 00:19:44,749
to the Israeli government.
371
00:19:44,751 --> 00:19:46,350
Unless their demands are met,
372
00:19:46,352 --> 00:19:49,520
they will
begin to execute hostages.
373
00:19:50,155 --> 00:19:52,089
In the army headquarters
in Tel Aviv,
374
00:19:52,091 --> 00:19:55,726
one plan that initially
seemed like an outlandish idea
375
00:19:55,728 --> 00:19:57,995
is starting to take shape --
376
00:19:57,997 --> 00:20:00,665
sending a strike force
2,000 Miles away
377
00:20:00,667 --> 00:20:05,069
and storm the terminal
under the cover of darkness.
378
00:20:05,604 --> 00:20:07,972
Interpreter: The plan was
to send 4 planes --
379
00:20:07,974 --> 00:20:11,442
the first lands
7 minutes ahead of the others.
380
00:20:12,144 --> 00:20:14,946
Joshua shani
will be the lead pilot.
381
00:20:14,948 --> 00:20:16,247
He will fly the assault team --
382
00:20:16,249 --> 00:20:20,685
29 of the unit's operators
led by yoni netanyahu.
383
00:20:20,687 --> 00:20:21,819
With him is muki bezer,
384
00:20:21,821 --> 00:20:24,722
who is part of the group
that planned the operation.
385
00:20:24,724 --> 00:20:27,925
To add to
the element of surprise,
386
00:20:27,927 --> 00:20:29,927
the special-forces team
assembles
387
00:20:29,929 --> 00:20:33,698
a convoy
of official-looking vehicles.
388
00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:36,334
CBS showed, a couple of times,
389
00:20:36,336 --> 00:20:40,037
idi amin coming with a Mercedes,
with two land rover jeeps,
390
00:20:40,039 --> 00:20:42,273
to visit the terminal,
to visit the hostages.
391
00:20:42,275 --> 00:20:46,477
And we sort of said, "why --
why wouldn't we do the same?"
392
00:20:47,446 --> 00:20:48,279
Bezer: [ Speaking Hebrew ]
393
00:20:48,281 --> 00:20:50,481
Interpreter: One Mercedes
and two land rovers.
394
00:20:50,483 --> 00:20:53,317
We will all
be dressed up as ugandans --
395
00:20:53,319 --> 00:20:55,620
basically,
staging the arrival of idi amin
396
00:20:55,622 --> 00:20:58,289
or another dignitary
as they did every night.
397
00:20:58,291 --> 00:21:01,626
The plan is to get there
and completely surprise them,
398
00:21:01,628 --> 00:21:04,862
storm the terminal,
take out the terrorists,
399
00:21:04,864 --> 00:21:07,798
and release the hostages.
400
00:21:09,368 --> 00:21:10,635
Narrator: The rest of the force,
401
00:21:10,637 --> 00:21:13,638
another 200
top infantry and paratroopers
402
00:21:13,640 --> 00:21:14,772
handpicked for the mission,
403
00:21:14,774 --> 00:21:18,175
will arrive in
the other three Hercules planes.
404
00:21:18,177 --> 00:21:23,381
Shani: The other 3 will wait
7 minutes in holding pattern,
405
00:21:23,383 --> 00:21:24,615
just South of them,
406
00:21:24,617 --> 00:21:30,154
around the border
of Kenya and Uganda,
407
00:21:30,156 --> 00:21:31,789
just to make sure
that we will keep
408
00:21:31,791 --> 00:21:35,826
the maximum surprise,
minimum noise.
409
00:21:36,328 --> 00:21:39,163
Narrator: They will land
in 7-minute intervals.
410
00:21:39,165 --> 00:21:41,565
Their job -- secure the airport,
411
00:21:41,567 --> 00:21:43,034
fight back any retaliation,
412
00:21:43,036 --> 00:21:47,338
and provide backup
for the rescue team.
413
00:21:50,008 --> 00:21:55,313
The unit's senior operators
are assembled.
414
00:21:55,315 --> 00:21:56,247
Amir ofer is home,
415
00:21:56,249 --> 00:22:00,451
just days before finishing his
mandatory service with the unit.
416
00:22:00,453 --> 00:22:03,321
Ofer: It was a very frightening
phone call, I must admit.
417
00:22:03,323 --> 00:22:07,391
I was told,
"come immediately to your base."
418
00:22:07,393 --> 00:22:08,526
All of us were very worried.
419
00:22:08,528 --> 00:22:11,929
It was
a very dangerous operation.
420
00:22:11,931 --> 00:22:13,464
Narrator: Practice begins.
421
00:22:13,466 --> 00:22:17,501
They need to be ready
for every potential scenario.
422
00:22:17,503 --> 00:22:18,736
Bezer: [ Speaking Hebrew ]
423
00:22:18,738 --> 00:22:21,138
Interpreter:
Our planning seemed perfect,
424
00:22:21,140 --> 00:22:23,708
with a high probability that
throughout the journey,
425
00:22:23,710 --> 00:22:26,344
the landing,
and the raid on the terminal,
426
00:22:26,346 --> 00:22:29,580
we will be able to
maintain the surprise element.
427
00:22:29,582 --> 00:22:33,017
Narrator: Israel's leaders
and top military commanders
428
00:22:33,019 --> 00:22:34,819
are invited
to observe a dress rehearsal
429
00:22:34,821 --> 00:22:37,688
on an improvised model
of the terminal.
430
00:22:37,690 --> 00:22:40,024
Peres:
When you decide an operation,
431
00:22:40,026 --> 00:22:41,726
you have to take a risk.
432
00:22:41,728 --> 00:22:46,163
The question is,
"is it a reasonable risk?"
433
00:22:46,165 --> 00:22:49,934
I wouldn't do it
to commit suicide.
434
00:22:49,936 --> 00:22:53,571
And when I saw the boys,
435
00:22:53,573 --> 00:22:55,639
I saw their preparation,
436
00:22:55,641 --> 00:22:59,276
my self-assurance go up.
437
00:23:00,645 --> 00:23:02,413
Narrator:
At the end of the rehearsal,
438
00:23:02,415 --> 00:23:03,581
the chief of staff wants to know
439
00:23:03,583 --> 00:23:06,584
what are
their chances of succeeding.
440
00:23:07,986 --> 00:23:13,023
Interpreter: He collected
all the commanders together
441
00:23:13,025 --> 00:23:17,027
after the rehearsal.
442
00:23:17,029 --> 00:23:20,297
He asked each of us to say
443
00:23:20,299 --> 00:23:23,768
if we believe in the plan
or not.
444
00:23:23,770 --> 00:23:30,174
All of us said that,
70% to 80%, it would fail...
445
00:23:30,176 --> 00:23:32,810
But we decided to go.
446
00:23:32,812 --> 00:23:36,847
When you have the type of
well-trained personnel --
447
00:23:36,849 --> 00:23:38,349
and some of their ground forces
448
00:23:38,351 --> 00:23:40,184
are exceptionally
well-trained --
449
00:23:40,186 --> 00:23:41,185
you know,
you do what you have to do
450
00:23:41,187 --> 00:23:45,356
in order to, you know,
to accomplish the mission.
451
00:23:46,691 --> 00:23:50,761
Narrator:
The hijackers' new deadline
is approaching fast.
452
00:23:50,763 --> 00:23:52,363
Peres, the minister of defense,
453
00:23:52,365 --> 00:23:55,132
needs to convince
prime minister yitzhak rabin
454
00:23:55,134 --> 00:23:58,502
to green-light
the risky operation.
455
00:23:59,905 --> 00:24:03,207
Eiran:
He struggled with that decision
456
00:24:03,209 --> 00:24:05,142
for a day and a night.
457
00:24:05,144 --> 00:24:07,578
He told me that he hardly slept.
458
00:24:08,213 --> 00:24:09,814
Narrator:
Five days into the crisis,
459
00:24:09,816 --> 00:24:12,883
on Friday, encouraged by
the latest developments,
460
00:24:12,885 --> 00:24:16,086
rabin, who is a former general,
is persuaded.
461
00:24:16,088 --> 00:24:21,592
He accompanied me
to the elevators and said to me,
462
00:24:21,594 --> 00:24:25,095
"amos, if the military operation
will fail --
463
00:24:25,097 --> 00:24:29,967
"and the chances are 50/50 --
464
00:24:29,969 --> 00:24:33,504
I will resign
the following day."
465
00:24:35,440 --> 00:24:37,107
Narrator: With time running out,
466
00:24:37,109 --> 00:24:38,609
200 of Israel's top fighters
467
00:24:38,611 --> 00:24:40,711
will be ready
to take off to Africa
468
00:24:40,713 --> 00:24:42,680
before given the green light.
469
00:24:42,682 --> 00:24:45,649
The final go or no-go
for the mission,
470
00:24:45,651 --> 00:24:48,152
now code-named
operation thunderbolt,
471
00:24:48,154 --> 00:24:51,722
will have to be given
while they are in the air.
472
00:25:02,667 --> 00:25:05,169
Narrator: A secret mission
to rescue 100 hostages
473
00:25:05,171 --> 00:25:08,572
held by international terrorists
for almost a week
474
00:25:08,574 --> 00:25:09,607
is launched.
475
00:25:09,609 --> 00:25:11,442
An elite
Israeli special-forces team
476
00:25:11,444 --> 00:25:14,845
is on its way
to the heart of Africa.
477
00:25:14,847 --> 00:25:15,646
We took off to the mission
478
00:25:15,648 --> 00:25:19,016
without the final approval
of the government.
479
00:25:19,317 --> 00:25:22,186
Narrator: The assault teams have
less than 24 hours to prepare
480
00:25:22,188 --> 00:25:24,688
before
changing to ugandan uniforms,
481
00:25:24,690 --> 00:25:26,690
their operational disguise.
482
00:25:26,692 --> 00:25:28,792
Their plan is
to pass themselves off as
483
00:25:28,794 --> 00:25:31,762
idi amin's official motorcade.
484
00:25:33,798 --> 00:25:36,333
Ofer: I was totally sure that
485
00:25:36,335 --> 00:25:37,968
no one
will approve the operation.
486
00:25:37,970 --> 00:25:40,271
It will be canceled
within a few hours.
487
00:25:40,273 --> 00:25:42,339
It was too risky, too far.
488
00:25:42,341 --> 00:25:44,308
Uh...
489
00:25:45,477 --> 00:25:48,078
It was a crazy operation.
490
00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:52,049
Narrator:
The troops are getting
quick, last-minute orders.
491
00:25:52,051 --> 00:25:54,952
Yoni netanyahu, which is our --
was our commander,
492
00:25:54,954 --> 00:25:57,454
explained that
we have a very short time
493
00:25:57,456 --> 00:25:59,790
to prepare the operation.
494
00:25:59,792 --> 00:26:04,795
Therefore, we will not discuss
any activities of other forces.
495
00:26:04,797 --> 00:26:06,063
He just told each one of us
496
00:26:06,065 --> 00:26:09,300
what's the specific role
of each squad.
497
00:26:10,535 --> 00:26:12,136
Narrator:
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem,
498
00:26:12,138 --> 00:26:14,371
an emergency cabinet meeting
is called.
499
00:26:14,373 --> 00:26:16,807
Unless all ministers
approve the plan,
500
00:26:16,809 --> 00:26:19,376
the troops will be called back.
501
00:26:19,378 --> 00:26:23,914
The Hercules planes have been
in the air for nearly two hours
502
00:26:23,916 --> 00:26:25,783
when a message arrives.
503
00:26:25,785 --> 00:26:29,320
Operation thunderbolt is a go.
504
00:26:29,322 --> 00:26:31,221
Zinke: Given the consequence
505
00:26:31,223 --> 00:26:35,192
of both failure and success
for the state of Israel,
506
00:26:35,194 --> 00:26:41,265
I think it was
a very, very tough call,
507
00:26:41,267 --> 00:26:44,168
but it was one they had to make.
508
00:26:46,538 --> 00:26:47,338
Narrator: In entebbe,
509
00:26:47,340 --> 00:26:51,342
for the hostages,
the situation seems hopeless.
510
00:26:51,344 --> 00:26:54,144
We couldn't even for 1%
511
00:26:54,146 --> 00:26:57,014
think that Israeli
are coming to save us.
512
00:26:57,016 --> 00:26:58,849
There's no way.
513
00:26:58,851 --> 00:27:03,053
We didn't know
what's going on in Israel.
514
00:27:03,055 --> 00:27:05,889
Nobody was talking to us.
515
00:27:06,291 --> 00:27:11,128
Narrator: The deadline for
executions to begin approaches.
516
00:27:11,130 --> 00:27:12,129
Ben dor: Every few hours,
517
00:27:12,131 --> 00:27:15,032
they say that
they are going to execute us --
518
00:27:15,034 --> 00:27:17,101
each and every one of us.
519
00:27:17,103 --> 00:27:18,969
I remember that my thought was,
520
00:27:18,971 --> 00:27:21,171
"I would like to
be one of the first,"
521
00:27:21,173 --> 00:27:27,745
because I couldn't think of
seeing the others being killed.
522
00:27:28,346 --> 00:27:33,117
It was despairing,
not giving any hope.
523
00:27:34,819 --> 00:27:38,856
Narrator:
The four Hercules planes
head north, then turn South,
524
00:27:38,858 --> 00:27:42,559
flying over the red sea
and then to Africa.
525
00:27:43,294 --> 00:27:46,230
In the cockpit,
lead pilot Joshua shani
526
00:27:46,232 --> 00:27:48,565
feels
the burden of responsibility.
527
00:27:48,567 --> 00:27:51,101
Shani:
The fear was for failure --
528
00:27:51,103 --> 00:27:52,870
real fear, big fear.
529
00:27:52,872 --> 00:27:55,673
29 years old,
it's all on my shoulders.
530
00:27:55,675 --> 00:28:00,377
And if I screw it up,
this is a national disaster.
531
00:28:02,747 --> 00:28:06,116
Narrator: The journey
is some 2,200 Miles long,
532
00:28:06,118 --> 00:28:09,353
and it involves
crossing hostile airspace.
533
00:28:09,355 --> 00:28:12,690
If detected,
they will be shot down.
534
00:28:12,692 --> 00:28:17,628
Shani: We kept radio silence,
because we didn't want
535
00:28:17,630 --> 00:28:20,431
anybody from the enemy countries
next to us to listen.
536
00:28:20,433 --> 00:28:22,733
Narrator:
To avoid getting detected,
537
00:28:22,735 --> 00:28:27,538
they fly as low as
only 100 feet above sea.
538
00:28:28,073 --> 00:28:31,341
Some of the troops
use the time to prepare.
539
00:28:31,343 --> 00:28:36,246
Ofer: I loaded my ak-47,
and I opened the safety pin.
540
00:28:36,248 --> 00:28:39,883
And my friend who was sitting
beside me shouted at me,
541
00:28:39,885 --> 00:28:43,053
"you are not supposed to
open your safety pin
542
00:28:43,055 --> 00:28:44,988
to load the weapon
within the plane!"
543
00:28:44,990 --> 00:28:47,658
I told him,
"shut up. This is a real war."
544
00:28:51,129 --> 00:28:52,563
Others, like matan vilnai,
545
00:28:52,565 --> 00:28:54,598
the operation's
deputy commander,
546
00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:57,134
and yoni netanyahu,
the unit's commander,
547
00:28:57,136 --> 00:29:00,070
managed to
catch a few minutes of sleep.
548
00:29:00,072 --> 00:29:02,573
Interpreter:
Both of us occupied this bay
549
00:29:02,575 --> 00:29:04,441
with full gear and weapons.
550
00:29:04,443 --> 00:29:08,445
We tried to sleep.
It's a long flight.
551
00:29:08,447 --> 00:29:12,216
Shani: We, like, found
very difficult to understand
552
00:29:12,218 --> 00:29:13,684
how a guy that's going to storm,
553
00:29:13,686 --> 00:29:16,787
and his chances to get killed
are 50%,
554
00:29:16,789 --> 00:29:17,721
can sleep like a baby,
555
00:29:17,723 --> 00:29:20,591
and he did sleep like a baby.
556
00:29:22,260 --> 00:29:25,529
Narrator: Just as they get to
the border of Kenya and Uganda,
557
00:29:25,531 --> 00:29:28,632
the pilots break formation
and separate.
558
00:29:28,634 --> 00:29:30,467
Shani,
carrying the attack force,
559
00:29:30,469 --> 00:29:32,803
continues
directly toward entebbe,
560
00:29:32,805 --> 00:29:34,338
while the others
reach the airport
561
00:29:34,340 --> 00:29:36,607
from another direction.
562
00:29:36,609 --> 00:29:38,475
The aim is to time their arrival
563
00:29:38,477 --> 00:29:41,044
to maximize
the potential surprise.
564
00:29:41,046 --> 00:29:42,045
Magness: Very dangerous.
565
00:29:42,047 --> 00:29:44,014
You know,
flying into an airfield
566
00:29:44,016 --> 00:29:46,150
that enemy forces
are controlling,
567
00:29:46,152 --> 00:29:50,387
with aircraft
that are essentially unarmed.
568
00:29:50,389 --> 00:29:51,388
You know,
they didn't have cover,
569
00:29:51,390 --> 00:29:53,223
didn't have gunships
covering them
570
00:29:53,225 --> 00:29:55,259
to be able to come in, land.
571
00:29:55,261 --> 00:29:58,929
When we had to
pick out the time of landing,
572
00:29:58,931 --> 00:30:02,833
we knew it should be the
middle of the night sometime.
573
00:30:04,035 --> 00:30:05,669
Narrator:
As the plane approaches entebbe,
574
00:30:05,671 --> 00:30:09,239
the control tower, anticipating
another arriving flight,
575
00:30:09,241 --> 00:30:12,176
asks the plane
to identify itself.
576
00:30:12,178 --> 00:30:17,047
Shani's answer could
seal the fate of the mission.
577
00:30:17,049 --> 00:30:21,151
Interpreter: In broken English,
they start asking questions,
578
00:30:21,153 --> 00:30:25,022
and our captain --
he gave the right answer.
579
00:30:25,024 --> 00:30:29,226
Narrator: Shani manages to
pass as another incoming flight
580
00:30:29,228 --> 00:30:30,527
without raising suspicion,
581
00:30:30,529 --> 00:30:34,398
and his plane lands
at 11:01 P.M. Uganda time,
582
00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:35,699
right on schedule.
583
00:30:35,701 --> 00:30:37,768
The rest of the force,
200 troops,
584
00:30:37,770 --> 00:30:40,437
should arrive
within the next 15 minutes.
585
00:30:40,439 --> 00:30:41,538
But until then,
586
00:30:41,540 --> 00:30:45,075
the unit's operators
are on their own.
587
00:30:45,077 --> 00:30:46,643
Ofer:
The intelligence that we got
588
00:30:46,645 --> 00:30:50,347
was that there are
between 200 and 1,000 soldiers
589
00:30:50,349 --> 00:30:51,949
in this specific air base.
590
00:30:51,951 --> 00:30:57,921
And we were supposed to be alone
for about 7 to 10 minutes.
591
00:31:00,024 --> 00:31:03,760
Narrator: Everything
goes according to the plan.
592
00:31:03,762 --> 00:31:08,699
I taxi all the way,
almost to the old terminal --
593
00:31:08,701 --> 00:31:11,768
the terminal
where the hostages were held.
594
00:31:12,704 --> 00:31:14,071
Narrator: While the plane
is still taxiing,
595
00:31:14,073 --> 00:31:17,441
the assault force gets into
the official-looking vehicles
596
00:31:17,443 --> 00:31:21,278
to pose as amin's motorcade.
597
00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:23,113
The next moments are critical.
598
00:31:23,115 --> 00:31:25,148
They have to
get right up to the terminal
599
00:31:25,150 --> 00:31:27,584
without being detected.
600
00:31:27,586 --> 00:31:28,252
[ Speaking Hebrew ]
601
00:31:28,254 --> 00:31:30,554
Interpreter: We jumped
out with the Mercedes.
602
00:31:30,556 --> 00:31:32,923
The air was fresh
right after the rain.
603
00:31:32,925 --> 00:31:34,458
We're driving slowly,
604
00:31:34,460 --> 00:31:37,794
adjusting our speed
to our surroundings.
605
00:31:42,267 --> 00:31:45,235
Narrator: In the Mercedes
are bezer and netanyahu,
606
00:31:45,237 --> 00:31:48,205
the commanders of the assault.
607
00:31:48,207 --> 00:31:51,775
Behind, the rest of the force
in land rovers,
608
00:31:51,777 --> 00:31:55,412
pretending to be
an official escort.
609
00:31:55,847 --> 00:31:57,114
Ofer:
I remember these two feelings.
610
00:31:57,116 --> 00:31:59,783
One is a feeling of
terrible loneliness.
611
00:31:59,785 --> 00:32:04,655
And the second is that
I saw 29 shadows --
612
00:32:04,657 --> 00:32:07,691
shadows of people, of soldiers
613
00:32:07,693 --> 00:32:10,894
holding their weapons
in the darkness,
614
00:32:10,896 --> 00:32:11,561
and I thought to myself,
615
00:32:11,563 --> 00:32:14,298
"how many of these
will stay alive in 5 minutes?"
616
00:32:14,300 --> 00:32:16,900
Narrator: The success
of the entire operation
617
00:32:16,902 --> 00:32:18,902
depends on
maintaining the surprise.
618
00:32:18,904 --> 00:32:21,838
They hope that the
ugandan troops at the airport
619
00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:24,107
will not suspect
the official-looking convoy
620
00:32:24,109 --> 00:32:27,811
and allow it
to get to the terminal.
621
00:32:33,217 --> 00:32:34,017
Bezer: [ Speaking Hebrew ]
622
00:32:34,019 --> 00:32:35,419
Interpreter:
We look straight ahead,
623
00:32:35,421 --> 00:32:38,088
and we see two ugandan soldiers
standing there,
624
00:32:38,090 --> 00:32:40,691
a little bored.
625
00:32:44,095 --> 00:32:48,365
Narrator: The troops
have only seconds to react.
626
00:32:48,367 --> 00:32:49,666
Bezer: [ Speaking Hebrew ]
627
00:32:49,668 --> 00:32:51,868
Interpreter:
The guy yells, "advance!"
628
00:32:51,870 --> 00:32:54,271
I tell yoni,
"forget it. It's routine."
629
00:32:54,273 --> 00:32:59,376
But he hesitates for a second
and then says, "take them out."
630
00:33:01,479 --> 00:33:04,681
[ Silenced gunshots ]
631
00:33:04,683 --> 00:33:07,250
[ Machine-gun fire ]
632
00:33:10,388 --> 00:33:13,991
Ofer: There was
a burst of non-silenced fire.
633
00:33:13,993 --> 00:33:17,060
And at this moment,
it was obvious
634
00:33:17,062 --> 00:33:20,797
that the element of surprise --
gone.
635
00:33:20,799 --> 00:33:21,932
[ Gunfire continues ]
636
00:33:21,934 --> 00:33:25,402
Interpreter: I thought, "this is
when the slaughter begins."
637
00:33:28,706 --> 00:33:29,639
Narrator: Their cover is blown,
638
00:33:29,641 --> 00:33:32,776
and they are still almost
700 feet away from their target.
639
00:33:32,778 --> 00:33:37,047
The hijackers could start
executing hostages immediately.
640
00:33:37,049 --> 00:33:41,084
The entire mission
hangs in the balance.
641
00:33:51,129 --> 00:33:53,897
Narrator: A secret,
high-risk Israeli commando raid
642
00:33:53,899 --> 00:33:55,565
into entebbe airport in Uganda
643
00:33:55,567 --> 00:33:58,035
is on the brink of disaster.
644
00:33:58,703 --> 00:34:00,370
The troops
are forced to open fire
645
00:34:00,372 --> 00:34:01,972
before reaching their target.
646
00:34:01,974 --> 00:34:04,274
The operation
is no longer a secret.
647
00:34:04,276 --> 00:34:06,343
They are exposed
and outnumbered.
648
00:34:06,345 --> 00:34:10,213
The lives of 100 hostages
and 200 troops
649
00:34:10,215 --> 00:34:11,715
are on the line.
650
00:34:11,717 --> 00:34:13,583
Bezer: [ Speaking Hebrew ]
651
00:34:13,585 --> 00:34:16,319
Interpreter: We jumped off
and started running.
652
00:34:16,321 --> 00:34:17,020
And as we are running,
653
00:34:17,022 --> 00:34:19,356
a ugandan soldier opens fire
right above us,
654
00:34:19,358 --> 00:34:22,626
and I shoot a round at him,
hitting him in the chest,
655
00:34:22,628 --> 00:34:24,561
and he drops.
656
00:34:26,197 --> 00:34:30,367
Any ugandan soldier we see
is shot.
657
00:34:30,369 --> 00:34:32,869
There was massive shooting.
658
00:34:35,940 --> 00:34:39,943
Narrator: Inside the terminal,
the hostages are terrified.
659
00:34:39,945 --> 00:34:43,113
They don't know
who is shooting and why.
660
00:34:43,115 --> 00:34:45,382
I thought,
"the terrorists will shoot,
661
00:34:45,384 --> 00:34:47,818
"the ugandan soldiers
will shoot,
662
00:34:47,820 --> 00:34:50,554
and we will be dead
in a few minutes."
663
00:34:50,556 --> 00:34:52,889
[ Machine-gun fire in distance ]
664
00:34:56,360 --> 00:34:57,994
Davidson: There was shooting --
665
00:34:57,996 --> 00:35:00,530
terrible shooting -- all around,
666
00:35:00,532 --> 00:35:04,434
noises, shouting, lights,
everything.
667
00:35:04,436 --> 00:35:09,506
We were sure that
that's the end. It comes now.
668
00:35:09,508 --> 00:35:12,943
Narrator: Everything depends on
how quickly the assault force
669
00:35:12,945 --> 00:35:14,544
can get to the hostages.
670
00:35:14,546 --> 00:35:19,282
It was critical
to enter as fast as possible.
671
00:35:19,284 --> 00:35:21,518
[ Gunfire in distance ]
672
00:35:21,520 --> 00:35:25,956
Narrator: Amir ofer is
the first inside the terminal.
673
00:35:27,058 --> 00:35:28,625
Ofer:
I couldn't see my commander,
674
00:35:28,627 --> 00:35:31,995
and I was sure
that he already ran
675
00:35:31,997 --> 00:35:34,030
and he disappeared
in the darkness,
676
00:35:34,032 --> 00:35:35,432
and I must run as fast as I can
677
00:35:35,434 --> 00:35:38,869
in order to catch up with him
and to cover his back.
678
00:35:39,303 --> 00:35:43,273
Narrator:
He is on his own, with no cover.
679
00:35:45,810 --> 00:35:48,211
Someone was shooting
in the terminal,
680
00:35:48,213 --> 00:35:49,479
about 5 meters inside it,
681
00:35:49,481 --> 00:35:52,415
and he was holding an ak-47
682
00:35:52,417 --> 00:35:54,551
and he was
shooting at me directly.
683
00:35:55,419 --> 00:35:57,587
You know,
I could see his hands like this,
684
00:35:57,589 --> 00:36:00,624
because he was shooting
a huge burst of fire.
685
00:36:00,758 --> 00:36:05,262
Narrator:
His special-forces training
kicks into action.
686
00:36:05,730 --> 00:36:07,964
And the bullets were
one here and one there,
687
00:36:07,966 --> 00:36:09,032
and I simply didn't care.
688
00:36:09,034 --> 00:36:13,036
I just shot him accurately,
three or four bullets,
689
00:36:13,038 --> 00:36:14,838
and you know --
690
00:36:14,840 --> 00:36:17,107
ta-ta-ta -- and that's it.
691
00:36:18,809 --> 00:36:21,077
Narrator:
The rest of his team catch up.
692
00:36:21,079 --> 00:36:22,412
As they
move through the terminal,
693
00:36:22,414 --> 00:36:26,016
they see two men
dressed as civilians.
694
00:36:27,285 --> 00:36:29,519
They don't realize
they are terrorists
695
00:36:29,521 --> 00:36:32,322
until one soldier
notices a spark.
696
00:36:33,391 --> 00:36:35,058
He shouted,
"they have a grenade,"
697
00:36:35,060 --> 00:36:37,160
and they shoot them, and...
698
00:36:37,228 --> 00:36:38,995
Narrator: The assault team
is now together.
699
00:36:38,997 --> 00:36:41,264
They continue
to sweep the terminal.
700
00:36:41,266 --> 00:36:42,832
Ofer: There were
two other terrorists.
701
00:36:42,834 --> 00:36:45,969
They turned their rifle
to shoot me in the back.
702
00:36:46,704 --> 00:36:48,271
Move!
703
00:36:50,908 --> 00:36:51,441
[ Chuckles ]
704
00:36:51,443 --> 00:36:54,311
Within 5 seconds,
I was supposed to die twice.
705
00:36:56,614 --> 00:37:00,217
Narrator:
Next, the troops advance
into the passengers' hole.
706
00:37:00,219 --> 00:37:03,253
We were scanning
the whole room with our eyes,
707
00:37:03,255 --> 00:37:04,387
looking for more terrorists.
708
00:37:04,389 --> 00:37:06,056
[ Indistinct shouting ]
709
00:37:06,058 --> 00:37:10,360
Narrator: The hostages have
no idea who these soldiers are.
710
00:37:10,362 --> 00:37:13,496
Ben dor:
It was very frightening moments.
711
00:37:13,498 --> 00:37:15,131
It looks like hours.
712
00:37:15,133 --> 00:37:18,301
And we -- we didn't understand
what is going on.
713
00:37:18,303 --> 00:37:22,172
Ofer: In my left hand,
I put the loudspeaker.
714
00:37:22,174 --> 00:37:23,907
My right hand
was still on the trigger.
715
00:37:23,909 --> 00:37:27,077
And I said,
"everybody lie down."
716
00:37:28,512 --> 00:37:29,813
They were totally sure
717
00:37:29,815 --> 00:37:32,182
that they're now
going to be executed.
718
00:37:33,951 --> 00:37:34,784
Narrator: In the confusion,
719
00:37:34,786 --> 00:37:37,153
one passenger,
Jean-Jacques maimoni,
720
00:37:37,155 --> 00:37:41,825
excited to be rescued,
leaps to his feet.
721
00:37:42,860 --> 00:37:47,330
He jumped against my explicit
instruction to lie down,
722
00:37:47,332 --> 00:37:50,967
and he was mistakenly
considered to be a terrorist
723
00:37:50,969 --> 00:37:56,539
who is jumping in order to run
and activate a bomb or whatever,
724
00:37:56,541 --> 00:37:57,974
and he was shot.
725
00:37:57,976 --> 00:38:00,210
Narrator:
Maimoni is one of three hostages
726
00:38:00,212 --> 00:38:02,746
killed in the crossfire.
727
00:38:03,948 --> 00:38:07,951
The hostages start to
realize what is happening.
728
00:38:07,953 --> 00:38:10,353
They started to raise
a little bit their heads
729
00:38:10,355 --> 00:38:12,222
and just, you know,
to look from the bottom,
730
00:38:12,224 --> 00:38:13,923
from the floor, to look up.
731
00:38:13,925 --> 00:38:16,793
And, suddenly, they identified
or they understood
732
00:38:16,795 --> 00:38:17,994
that they're
not going to be killed,
733
00:38:17,996 --> 00:38:20,630
that someone
came to rescue them.
734
00:38:20,632 --> 00:38:25,302
And...It's an amazing moment.
735
00:38:26,203 --> 00:38:30,240
It's like if there was
an angel coming out of the sky.
736
00:38:30,242 --> 00:38:34,077
It was such a surprise.
737
00:38:34,079 --> 00:38:35,378
[ Machine-gun fire ]
738
00:38:35,380 --> 00:38:38,648
Narrator: By now, the rest of
the Israeli force has landed
739
00:38:38,650 --> 00:38:41,251
and is battling
the ugandan army outside.
740
00:38:41,253 --> 00:38:45,855
The Hercules pilots
are waiting in the dark.
741
00:38:46,357 --> 00:38:48,625
There was shooting
all over the place -- tracers --
742
00:38:48,627 --> 00:38:52,329
and I couldn't tell
if they are aiming to us or not.
743
00:38:52,331 --> 00:38:55,332
One bullet in the right place,
the airplane is grounded.
744
00:38:55,334 --> 00:38:56,966
You cannot take off.
745
00:38:58,536 --> 00:38:59,669
Narrator: Inside the terminal,
746
00:38:59,671 --> 00:39:03,139
the assault force needs to
report to yoni netanyahu,
747
00:39:03,141 --> 00:39:03,840
the unit's commander,
748
00:39:03,842 --> 00:39:07,911
that the team has eliminated
the hijackers' threat.
749
00:39:08,979 --> 00:39:10,880
Interpreter:
I call yoni on the radio,
750
00:39:10,882 --> 00:39:11,748
and I say, "mission completed."
751
00:39:11,750 --> 00:39:15,752
"Yoni," I say, "completed,
just like in the rehearsal!"
752
00:39:15,754 --> 00:39:16,152
Nothing.
753
00:39:16,154 --> 00:39:18,788
The unit's
communications officer picks up.
754
00:39:18,790 --> 00:39:22,892
He's yelling,
"yoni is hurt, yoni is hurt!"
755
00:39:23,327 --> 00:39:26,196
Narrator: Yoni netanyahu,
the unit's commander,
756
00:39:26,198 --> 00:39:27,497
has been critically injured.
757
00:39:27,499 --> 00:39:30,867
There's no time
to digest the news.
758
00:39:30,869 --> 00:39:32,969
They are still
not out of danger.
759
00:39:32,971 --> 00:39:35,205
Ben dor:
The soldiers told us to go out,
760
00:39:35,207 --> 00:39:39,409
to follow the lights outside,
761
00:39:39,411 --> 00:39:41,544
to the Hercules,
762
00:39:41,546 --> 00:39:43,513
and we started to run.
763
00:39:44,582 --> 00:39:45,749
Narrator:
The hostages and the troops
764
00:39:45,751 --> 00:39:48,318
are still
at least 8 hours away from home
765
00:39:48,320 --> 00:39:50,053
in a hostile country.
766
00:39:50,055 --> 00:39:52,856
My issue was, at that time,
767
00:39:52,858 --> 00:39:55,825
to make sure that we can
get the hell out of there.
768
00:39:55,827 --> 00:39:58,395
Narrator:
The evacuation must begin.
769
00:39:58,397 --> 00:40:01,297
We have to count the soldiers
a million times,
770
00:40:01,299 --> 00:40:04,234
just to make sure we are not
leaving anyone behind.
771
00:40:04,236 --> 00:40:05,535
It was so critical.
772
00:40:05,537 --> 00:40:07,070
And when we filled,
773
00:40:07,072 --> 00:40:10,273
everybody that was ready
took off.
774
00:40:10,275 --> 00:40:13,276
Narrator: The Israeli force
needs to make sure
775
00:40:13,278 --> 00:40:16,713
they can't be pursued
by the ugandan army.
776
00:40:17,681 --> 00:40:19,315
A demolition team
moves to destroy
777
00:40:19,317 --> 00:40:22,852
Uganda's entire fleet
of mig fighter planes.
778
00:40:27,591 --> 00:40:29,092
On the way home,
the troops learn
779
00:40:29,094 --> 00:40:34,097
that the unit's commander,
yoni netanyahu, has died.
780
00:40:34,099 --> 00:40:39,369
Interpreter: I went out to the
back of one of the aircraft...
781
00:40:40,471 --> 00:40:45,175
...and I saw yoni lying there.
782
00:40:45,177 --> 00:40:49,379
He was covered
with an aluminum blanket.
783
00:40:49,381 --> 00:40:54,217
And I looked at it,
and I think about yoni.
784
00:40:54,219 --> 00:41:01,191
In military operations,
the price is always human life.
785
00:41:07,131 --> 00:41:08,231
Narrator: 2,000 Miles away,
786
00:41:08,233 --> 00:41:12,435
the government in Jerusalem
is waiting for an update.
787
00:41:12,437 --> 00:41:13,837
Peres: I was at my office.
788
00:41:13,839 --> 00:41:16,272
It was, I think, 12:00 at night.
789
00:41:16,274 --> 00:41:21,578
That was the first time
that the silence was broken.
790
00:41:21,580 --> 00:41:22,512
And we got the code.
791
00:41:22,514 --> 00:41:27,116
It says that
one of our commanders fall.
792
00:41:27,118 --> 00:41:30,820
Somehow
my heart told me it's yoni,
793
00:41:30,822 --> 00:41:33,723
whom I love very much.
794
00:41:36,060 --> 00:41:38,862
Narrator:
While the Hercules planes
are still in the air,
795
00:41:38,864 --> 00:41:42,398
news of the secret
has leaked out.
796
00:41:42,400 --> 00:41:44,000
Shani:
We turn on the long-range radio,
797
00:41:44,002 --> 00:41:47,804
and I put it on the loudspeakers
so the special forces will hear.
798
00:41:47,806 --> 00:41:51,741
It started with
a French television station.
799
00:41:51,743 --> 00:41:56,112
It said, "Israeli commando
just did this operation."
800
00:41:58,482 --> 00:42:00,783
Narrator: After another
7 hours in the air,
801
00:42:00,785 --> 00:42:02,785
and a week after the hijacking,
802
00:42:02,787 --> 00:42:03,920
the four planes carrying
803
00:42:03,922 --> 00:42:06,689
the troops, the hostages,
and the dead
804
00:42:06,691 --> 00:42:10,593
are finally back home in Israel.
805
00:42:15,299 --> 00:42:17,734
[ Indistinct conversations ]
806
00:42:17,736 --> 00:42:20,570
Davidson: Everybody --
all of our friends --
807
00:42:20,572 --> 00:42:22,071
all of them were there.
808
00:42:22,073 --> 00:42:24,807
[ Conversations continue ]
809
00:42:24,809 --> 00:42:26,209
Ben dor: It was unbelievable.
810
00:42:26,211 --> 00:42:29,913
I thought that the whole country
is waiting for us
811
00:42:29,915 --> 00:42:32,282
in the airport.
812
00:42:32,284 --> 00:42:36,152
Lots and lots
and lots of people.
813
00:42:38,722 --> 00:42:41,457
Narrator:
The pilots can finally relax.
814
00:42:41,459 --> 00:42:47,230
When you have this kind of
responsibility, you function.
815
00:42:47,232 --> 00:42:49,599
Adrenaline is so high
you just function,
816
00:42:49,601 --> 00:42:50,400
and you don't know how.
817
00:42:50,402 --> 00:42:53,369
I totally collapsed
when I got home.
818
00:42:58,509 --> 00:43:01,344
But matkal,
the secret black-ops unit,
819
00:43:01,346 --> 00:43:04,080
cannot take part
in the celebrations.
820
00:43:04,082 --> 00:43:05,014
For many years to come,
821
00:43:05,016 --> 00:43:07,984
its missions and the operators
who carried them out
822
00:43:07,986 --> 00:43:09,986
will remain in the shadows.
823
00:43:09,988 --> 00:43:11,788
Ofer:
We were isolated and taken aside
824
00:43:11,790 --> 00:43:13,489
because it was top secret
at the time.
825
00:43:13,491 --> 00:43:15,558
I think that there was one
moment, later on,
826
00:43:15,560 --> 00:43:17,660
that I understood that
we did something,
827
00:43:17,662 --> 00:43:19,929
I would say, extraordinary.
828
00:43:19,931 --> 00:43:24,867
They know
this is a secret mission.
829
00:43:24,869 --> 00:43:27,770
They felt that
only they can do it
830
00:43:27,772 --> 00:43:30,773
and that they have to do it
831
00:43:30,775 --> 00:43:35,044
and that they have to
take the risk.
832
00:43:38,215 --> 00:43:40,783
It was not God
that worked overtime,
833
00:43:40,785 --> 00:43:45,888
it was just we did a good job
like we were expected to do.
834
00:43:47,324 --> 00:43:48,024
Narrator: The daring raid
835
00:43:48,026 --> 00:43:50,593
and the courage of
the troops who carried it out
836
00:43:50,595 --> 00:43:54,030
will be studied by
forces all around the world
837
00:43:54,032 --> 00:43:55,131
and serve as a model
838
00:43:55,133 --> 00:43:59,135
for what special-ops teams
could achieve.
839
00:43:59,570 --> 00:44:02,271
The Israeli
overwhelming retaliation
840
00:44:02,273 --> 00:44:04,240
is an early
international victory
841
00:44:04,242 --> 00:44:06,209
in the war on terrorism.
842
00:44:08,879 --> 00:44:11,914
[ Machine-gun fire ]