604 Chapter 5
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute began after the hijacking of an Israeli airliner, an El Al air-
lines Boeing 707, on July 23, 1968. The plane was hijacked by armed members of the
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine over the Mediterranean Sea, after having
taken off from Rome en route to Tel Aviv.
The plane was forced to land in Algiers, Algeria. Upon landing, the 22 non-Israeli
passengers on the plane were immediately released by Algeria; however, the remain-
ing 22 Israel passengers were detained by the Algerian government. A few days later,
the Israeli women and children were released, but the terrorists continued to hold 12
Israeli men hostage for 39 days. During late August, negotiations between the terror-
ists and Israel began with Italy mediating. On September 1, the terms of release were
agreed to, and the El Al hostages were exchanged for 16 Arab prisoners.
MID#1068
Dispute Number: 1068
Date(s): August 15, 1970 to October 14, 1970
Participants: 666 Israel/615 Algeria
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: A British airliner on a flight from Hong Kong to London, with two high-
ranking Algerian officials on board, landed in Israel on August 14, 1970. The Israeli
government seized the two Algerian officials, claiming Algeria was in a state of war
with Israel. The seizure was likely a retaliation for the seizure by Algerian nationals of
Israeli citizens on an El Al Israel Airlines flight two years prior. Hijackings were com-
mon at this time, and following British pressure against Israel, the Israelis released the
officials in October.
Their release also coincided with the release of the final hostages from a 54-person
flight and crew who were taken by Palestinian liberationists. Israel denied linkages to
either hijacking.
616 TUNISIA/620 LIBYA
MID#3014
Dispute Number: 3014
Date(s): May 20, 1977 to May 27, 1977
Participants: 620 Libya/616 Tunisia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: An American oil rig began to operate on behalf of Libya in waters dis-
puted by Tunisia. The Tunisians charged that the rig was protected by two Libyan
warships. Libya denied the claims that there were forces on the disputed Continental
Shelf and also denied that the rig was in Tunisian waters. Both countries responded
by sending forces to the disputed area.