Brief: Israel's aviation heritage center will establish a permanent commemoration for the legendary commando who led the Entebbe rescue mission.

Israel's aviation heritage center will establish a permanent commemoration honoring Lt. Col. Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu, the heroic IDF officer who was killed leading the legendary 1976 Entebbe rescue operation.

The announcement reinforces Israel's commitment to preserving the memory of its fallen heroes, particularly those whose actions epitomized the nation's determination to protect Jewish lives anywhere in the world. Netanyahu's leadership during Operation Entebbe remains one of the most celebrated moments in Israeli military history.

On July 4, 1976, Yoni Netanyahu commanded the elite Sayeret Matkal unit during the daring raid to rescue 102 hostages held by Palestinian and German terrorists at Uganda's Entebbe Airport. The hostages had been aboard an Air France flight hijacked a week earlier. Netanyahu, then 30 years old, was the only IDF soldier killed during the operation, which succeeded in freeing nearly all the hostages.

The Entebbe operation demonstrated Israel's resolve to reach its citizens under threat, regardless of distance or diplomatic obstacles. The mission required flying over 2,500 miles to hostile territory, executing a precise nighttime assault, and returning safely—a feat that shocked the world and became a symbol of Israeli military excellence.

Yoni Netanyahu was the older brother of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His death profoundly impacted Israeli society and his family, with Benjamin Netanyahu later crediting his brother's sacrifice as a formative influence on his own political career and security philosophy.

The aviation heritage center's decision to honor Yoni Netanyahu reflects the enduring significance of the Entebbe operation in Israeli national consciousness. The raid represented a turning point in counter-terrorism strategy and reinforced the principle that Israel would spare no effort to protect Jewish lives threatened by terrorism. The commemoration will ensure future generations understand the courage and sacrifice that have safeguarded the Jewish state throughout its history.