Operation "Wooden Leg"

Why in Tunisia?

In the summer of 1985, a series of terrorist attacks were carried out against Israeli targets. The Israeli government had therefore sought a response in retaliation.

The latest attack, which ultimately convinced the Israeli General Staff to take action, was the assassination of three Israelis on a yacht anchored in the Larnaca port in Cyprus. The Palestine Liberation Organization claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Israeli government decided to carry out Operation "Wooden Leg" in retaliation, but also as a deterrent against future terror attacks.

According to Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin, the objective of the State of Israel was to show that the PLO had nowhere to hide. "The IDF will always find and punish those responsible," he said.

The first IDF operation outside Israeli borders since the Entebbe raid

The plan of the operation was presented to the government by the Commander of the Air Force of the time, General Amos Lapidot. The operation included a flight outside the traditional airways to add an element of surprise. Prime Minister Shimon Peres gave the go ahead.

Operation "Wooden Leg"

The Operation

At around 11 am, F-15 fighter planes arrived in Tunisia and successfully carried out the operation.

“We felt intense pressure during those few seconds," said one of the pilots involved in the operation. "We had a good dose of adrenaline in our blood, and we were totally focused on our goal. When we reached our destination, we fired our ammunition at the target.”

The attack lasted only a few minutes, and the planes changed course towards Israel. “Our return home was particularly impressive. Our whole squadron was waiting for us. All of our comrades were moved. I got off the plane, and I started crying. Yes, we were coming back from a long journey,” he said.