Uganda has unveiled a statue honouring Yonatan Netanyahu, the Israeli commando killed during the historic 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue mission, describing him as a symbol of courage and sacrifice.

The monument, unveiled outside the old terminal of Entebbe International Airport where the rescue operation took place 50 years ago, depicts Netanyahu striding forward with a machine gun in his hands.

Uganda’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said the statue was erected to recognise Netanyahu’s bravery and selfless service during one of the most significant counter-terrorism operations in modern history.

He described the Entebbe raid as a defining moment that shaped relations between Uganda and Israel, saying the two countries had since developed a partnership based on mutual trust, respect and cooperation.

Netanyahu was the only Israeli soldier killed during the operation, which rescued more than 100 hostages after an Air France flight was hijacked by two Palestinian and two German militants and diverted to Uganda.

“May their memories continue to inspire future generations in the pursuit of peace, justice and human dignity,” Kainerugaba said.

Three hostages Jean-Jacques Mimouni, Pasco Cohen and Ida Borochovitch also died during the raid, while another hostage, Dora Bloch, was later killed at a hospital in Kampala where she had been receiving treatment.

The hijackers and three accomplices who joined them in Uganda were killed during the operation, while at least 45 Ugandan soldiers also died in clashes with Israeli forces.

Acknowledging the loss of Ugandan troops, Kainerugaba said they had “fought valiantly” based on what they believed was a justified cause, but added that the government of former Ugandan leader Idi Amin, which they served, was a brutal dictatorship that did not represent the Ugandan people.

The Entebbe operation began after an Air France Airbus A300 travelling from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked on 27 June 1976. The aircraft stopped in Athens, where the hijackers boarded, before being forced to fly to Libya for refuelling and later diverted to Uganda.

The militants demanded $5 million and the release of 53 prisoners held in Israel, France, Germany, Switzerland and Kenya in exchange for the hostages.

While some hostages were released on 30 June and 1 July, Israeli and Jewish passengers remained in captivity.

On 3 July 1976, Israeli commandos landed at Entebbe after flying through Kenya and launched a rescue operation that lasted less than 90 minutes.

The mission was celebrated in Israel but dealt a major blow to the reputation of Idi Amin’s government, which had supported the hijackers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yonatan’s younger brother, visited Entebbe in 2016 to mark the 40th anniversary of the raid, saying he learned from his brother that defeating terrorism required “clarity and courage.”

Kainerugaba described the events of 50 years ago as a painful chapter in Uganda’s history but said the relationship between Uganda and Israel had evolved into a close partnership. (Arise news)

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