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How Terrorists Stole an Italian Cruise Ship

IMPERIAL・20 minutes read

Hijackers from the Palestinian Liberation Front seize the Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro, leading to the murder of American passenger Leon Klinghoffer, a diplomatic standoff between the U.S. and Italy, and the eventual capture and trial of the hijackers in Italian courts. Despite the tragic events, the orchestrator of the hijacking, Muhammad Abbas, manages to escape to Iraq.

Insights

  • The hijackers of the Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro demanded the release of 50 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, showcasing their political motives and willingness to resort to violence for their cause.
  • The tragic murder of Leon Klinghoffer, a Jewish American passenger, by the hijackers highlighted the brutal and ruthless nature of the hijacking, emphasizing the serious implications of terrorism and the challenges in negotiating with extremist groups.

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Recent questions

  • What happened during the hijacking of the Italian cruise liner Akili Lauro?

    Passengers disembarked for a trip to the Pyramids in Cairo, leaving only 70-80 passengers on board with the crew. The ship was seized by four hijackers who demanded the release of 50 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. The hijackers identified Americans, British, and Jewish individuals as leverage, executing Leon Klinghoffer, a wheelchair-bound Jewish American, and throwing his body overboard. Negotiations led to the hijackers' release in exchange for the ship and passengers, despite the death of Klinghoffer.

  • Who orchestrated the hijacking of the Italian cruise liner Akili Lauro?

    The hijacking was orchestrated by Muhammad Abbas, who led negotiations with the Italian government for the release of the hijackers in exchange for the ship and passengers. Abbas was a member of the Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF) and played a key role in the hijacking and subsequent events.

  • How did the United States respond to the hijacking of the Italian cruise liner Akili Lauro?

    The United States planned a military intervention with Special Operations forces, including SEAL Team Six, to address the hijacking of the Italian cruise liner Akili Lauro. U.S. intelligence located the hijackers at Almaza Air Base in Egypt, leading to a crisis management team in Washington developing plans to intercept the aircraft carrying the hijackers.

  • What was the outcome of the hijacking of the Italian cruise liner Akili Lauro?

    After a standoff between U.S. and Italian forces, an agreement was reached for Italian troops to take custody of the hijackers. The hijackers were later tried and sentenced in Italian courts, with the orchestrator of the hijacking, Muhammad Abbas, escaping to Iraq. The incident caused a diplomatic standoff between the U.S. and Italy over jurisdiction.

  • How did the Italian government handle the hijacking of the Italian cruise liner Akili Lauro?

    The Italian government mobilized elite units but aimed for a peaceful resolution to the hijacking of the Italian cruise liner Akili Lauro. Despite the murder of an American citizen during the hijacking, Egypt facilitated the safe passage of the murderers to Tunisia, where they were to be picked up by PLO forces.

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Summary

00:00

Hijacking of Italian Cruise Ship Akili Lauro

  • The Italian cruise liner Akili Lauro is docked at the Port of Alexandria on October 8, 1985, during a 12-day Mediterranean voyage.
  • Passengers disembark for a trip to the Pyramids in Cairo, leaving only 70-80 passengers on board with the crew.
  • The ship's captain sets course for the port of Saeed, intending to rendezvous with the Cairo tourists in 14 hours.
  • Four hijackers seize the ship, demanding the release of 50 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
  • The hijackers claim to be Norwegian but later reveal themselves as members of the Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF).
  • The Italian government, focused on diplomatic relations, mobilizes elite units but aims for a peaceful resolution.
  • The US plans a military intervention with Special Operations forces, including SEAL Team Six.
  • The hijackers separate hostages, identifying Americans, British, and Jewish individuals as leverage.
  • The hijackers execute Leon Klinghoffer, a wheelchair-bound Jewish American, throwing his body overboard.
  • Negotiations led by Muhammad Abbas, the hijacking orchestrator, result in the hijackers' release in exchange for the ship and passengers, despite the death of Klinghoffer.

17:06

Diplomatic Standoff: Intercepting Hijacked Flight in Sicily

  • On October 10th, Ambassador Valiots boarded the Aquilaro to confirm the death of Klinghoffer, finding his passport but not him, leading to a demand for Egypt to prosecute the murderers.
  • Despite the murder of an American citizen, Egypt facilitated the safe passage of the murderers to Tunisia, where they were to be picked up by PLO forces.
  • U.S. intelligence located the hijackers at Almaza Air Base in Egypt, preparing to board an Egypt Air flight, leading to a crisis management team in Washington developing plans to intercept the aircraft.
  • A U.S. aircraft carrier task force intercepted the hijacked Boeing 737, forcing it to land at the NATO Sigonella Air Base in Sicily, causing a diplomatic standoff between the U.S. and Italy over jurisdiction.
  • After a standoff between U.S. and Italian forces, an agreement was reached for Italian troops to take custody of the hijackers, who were later tried and sentenced in Italian courts, with the orchestrator of the hijacking, Muhammad Abbas, escaping to Iraq.
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