Uganda unveils monument to Israeli commando killed in rescue mission

Uganda has unveiled a monument honouring Lt-Col Yonatan Netanyahu, the Israeli commando killed during the historic 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue operation, highlighting the enduring significance of one of the most famous military missions in modern history and the cordial ties between Uganda and Israel.

The statue, depicting Yonatan Netanyahu holding an assault rifle, was unveiled on August 1 outside the airport terminal in Entebbe by Uganda's military chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The general said he commissioned the monument to honour the Israeli officer's bravery during the rescue mission, Sowetan writes.

Among those attending the ceremony were Israeli guests, including businessman Barak Orland.

Kainerugaba, the eldest son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and widely viewed as his likely successor, said the memorial represents more than a tribute to a fallen soldier.

“Today [August 1] this memorial stands not only in remembrance of a distinguished soldier but also as a tribute to the enduring values he embodied: courage in the face of danger, unwavering commitment to protecting innocent lives, and steadfast devotion to duty,” Kainerugaba said during the unveiling ceremony.

Yonatan Netanyahu, the older brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was killed while leading Israeli special forces during the raid on Entebbe Airport on July 3, 1976. He was struck by a bullet while commanding the operation and was the only Israeli commando killed during the mission.

The rescue operation was launched after an Air France flight carrying passengers from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked by two Palestinian and two German militants and diverted to Entebbe. The hijackers separated Jewish and Israeli passengers from the other hostages and demanded the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, threatening to kill the captives if their demands were not met.

Following a week of negotiations, Israeli commandos carried out a surprise raid on the airport, rescuing 106 hostages. Three hostages were killed during the crossfire, while dozens of Ugandan soldiers also died in the operation, which lasted less than an hour.

At the time, Uganda was ruled by dictator Idi Amin, who had severed diplomatic relations with Israel and supported the Palestinian independence movement. Israel's successful raid dealt a major blow to Amin's government and heightened tensions between the two countries.

The operation also drew criticism from the Organisation of African Unity, the predecessor of today's African Union, which condemned the raid as a violation of Uganda's sovereignty.

In Israel, however, the Entebbe rescue remains one of the country's most celebrated military operations and is widely regarded as a defining moment in its military history. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously said that the death of his brother during the mission "changed the course" of his life.

Despite the historical legacy of the operation, relations between Uganda and Israel are now described as cordial. President Museveni has also publicly expressed support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reflecting Uganda's current diplomatic position on the Middle East conflict.

By Sabina Mammadli