TWA Flight 847 Terrorist Attack The Flight June

TWA Flight 847 Terrorist Attack

The Flight • June 14, 1985 • Boeing 727 • In route from Athens to Rome • 153 passengers and crew members

The Hijacking • Plane forced to land in Beirut (June 14) (19 released) • Flew to Algiers, Algeria (June 14) (20 released) • Flew back to Beirut (June 15) (U. S. Diver Robert Stethem killed/ 7 hostages taken into the city/ 12 more hijackers board the plane) • Flew back to Algiers, Algeria (June 15) (65 released) • Made final landing in Beirut (June 16) (Remaining hostages moved into city / held until June 30 th)

Terrorist Demands • Release of the "Kuwait 17” • Release of all 766 Lebanese Shias • Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon • International condemnation of Israel and the U. S.

The Hijackers • Two men wielding grenades and hand guns • One identified as Mohammed Ali Hamadi • Belonged to Islamic Jihad • Commandeered the plane shortly after takeoff

Islamic Jihad • Fundamentalist Shia Group • Lead by Imad Mughniyah • Headquarters was in Beirut • Known in 1980’s for Lebanese Civil War involvement • No longer active