Yonatan Netanyahu

Yonatan Netanyahu (March 13, 1953 – July 4, 1976) was an Israeli commando and officer in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who became a national hero for his leadership during Operation Entebbe. On June 27, 1976, Palestinian and German terrorists hijacked Air France Flight 139 en route from Tel Aviv to Paris, diverting it to Entebbe, Uganda, where they held 248 passengers hostage. Netanyahu led the Israeli military rescue operation that successfully liberated the hostages on July 3-4, 1976, in what became one of history's most celebrated counter-terrorism operations. Though the mission succeeded in freeing 102 remaining hostages, Netanyahu was shot and killed by Ugandan soldiers during the extraction, becoming the sole Israeli casualty. His bravery and tactical leadership during the raid made him an enduring symbol of Israeli military excellence and sacrifice. Netanyahu is remembered as a war hero, and his legacy has influenced Israeli military doctrine and counter-terrorism strategies for decades.