7 Days in Entebbe

7 Days in Entebbe is a 2018 historical drama-thriller film directed by Jose Padilha. The movie is based on the real-life events of the rescue of over 100 Israeli passengers who were hijacked by Palestinian terrorists in 1976. The film begins with an Air France flight, 139, departing from Tel Aviv, Israel, en route to Paris, France. On board are 248 passengers, including families and business travelers. As the flight crew and passengers enjoy the in-flight meal service, four Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF) hijackers, disguised as Ugandan immigrants, burst into the cockpit, armed with guns and grenades. The hijackers, led by Wilfried Böse, announce that they demand the release of 40 Palestinian terrorists who have been imprisoned in Israel, threatening to kill all hostages unless their demands are met. The Israeli government is immediately informed of the situation, and a high-level crisis meeting takes place in Tel Aviv. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and his advisors debate the best course of action, weighing the options of negotiating with the hijackers or attempting a rescue mission. In Uganda, the hijackers take control of the airport and demand that the Israeli government comply with their demands. Ugandan President Idi Amin, desperate for international attention and support, allows the hijackers to take over the airport. The four hijackers, joined by a group of Ugandan militiamen, begin to separate the Jewish passengers from the others, holding the Jewish passengers hostage. As the world watches the crisis unfold, Israeli commandos, led by General Dan Shomron, begin planning a daring rescue mission. They conduct a thorough reconnaissance of the airport, gathering intelligence on the layout of the airport, the number of hijackers and militia members, and the location of the hostages. Meanwhile, the Israeli government, aware of the growing public pressure to take action, makes a critical decision: to authorise a rescue mission. A team of sixIsraeli commandos, including General Shomron, Colonel Matityahu Peled, and Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu, embark on a perilous journey to Entebbe, disguising themselves as passengers on a flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Entebbe, the commandos are dropped off at a nearby farmhouse, where they begin to plan their assault on the airport. Under the cover of darkness, they make their way to the airport, evading Ugandan soldiers and reaching the perimeter fence. In a tense and violent standoff, the Israeli commandos overpower the hijackers and free the hostages. In a tragic twist, Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu is killed in the exchange of gunfire. The commandos make their way back to their plane, evacuating the hostages to safety. The rescue mission, codenamed Operation Thunderbolt, is hailed as a daring and successful operation by the Israeli public and the international community. The hijackers and the Ugandan militiamen who supported them are either killed or captured. The film ends with a poignant scene of the Israeli hostages, still shaken by their ordeal, being reunited with their families in Tel Aviv. The movie concludes with a nod to the sacrifice of Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu, who gave his life in the service of his country and its people. 7 Days in Entebbe is a gripping and intense portrayal of one of the most notable hostage crises in modern history. The film highlights the bravery and sacrifices made by the Israeli commandos who risked their lives to rescue the hostages and bring an end to the crisis. The movie is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even when the odds seem insurmountable.