The 1972 Sabena Flight 571 hijacking was resolved by an Israeli commando raid that killed or captured all four Black September hijackers, setting an early precedent for armed counter-terrorism operations.
Key Facts
- Date of hijacking
- 8 May 1972
- Aircraft type
- Boeing 707
- Hijacker organization
- Black September Organization
- Number of hijackers
- 4
- Flight route
- Brussels to Tel Aviv via Vienna
- Aircraft commander
- Capt. Reginald Levy, DFC (British)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Black September Organization, a Palestinian militant group, sought to compel Israel to release Palestinian prisoners. On 8 May 1972, four of its members boarded Sabena Flight 571, a Belgian airliner traveling from Brussels to Tel Aviv via Vienna, intending to use passengers as leverage for this demand.
The hijackers seized the Boeing 707 mid-flight and directed Captain Reginald Levy to land at Lod Airport in Israel. Once on the ground, the hijackers held passengers hostage and presented their demands. Israeli authorities entered negotiations while simultaneously preparing a military response to end the standoff.
Israeli commandos stormed the aircraft and neutralized all four hijackers — killing some and capturing others — freeing the hostages. The operation demonstrated Israel's willingness to use direct military force against hostage-takers and became a reference point in the development of counter-terrorism doctrine internationally.