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Today in History: Black September hijacks Sabena 571, demands 315 freed

5/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 8 May 1972, four Black September members hijacked Sabena Flight 571, a Brussels-to-Tel Aviv Boeing 707 that had stopped in Vienna. They seized the aircraft and demanded the release of 315 Palestinians convicted of terrorism. The incident underscored the group’s intensifying campaign against Israel and Western interests.

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Story summary

On 8 May 1972, four Black September members hijacked Sabena Flight 571, a Brussels-to-Tel Aviv Boeing 707 that had stopped in Vienna. They seized the aircraft and demanded the release of 315 Palestinians convicted of terrorism. The incident underscored the group’s intensifying campaign against Israel and Western interests.