In June 1985, TWA Flight 847, traveling from Athens to Rome, became the target of a harrowing terrorist attack. Shortly after takeoff, two individuals, later identified as Mohammed Ali Hamadi and Hassan Izz-al-Din, seized control of the aircraft. Armed with grenades and a pistol, they declared their affiliation with Islamic Jihad and diverted the plane to Beirut, Lebanon.

Upon landing in Beirut, the hijackers were joined by additional terrorists from Hezbollah. Their primary demand was the release of 700 Shiite militants held in Israeli custody. The situation quickly escalated into a hostage crisis, with the terrorists holding the passengers and crew captive.

Amidst the chaos, the pilot, Korean War veteran John Testrake, and flight service manager Uli Derickson displayed extraordinary courage and leadership. They navigated the tense negotiations with the hijackers and worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of those on board.

The ordeal took a tragic turn when Navy Diver Robert Dean Stethem was brutally beaten and then executed by the terrorists. His body was thrown onto the tarmac in Beirut. Several passengers with Jewish-sounding names were also separated from the group and taken to undisclosed locations in South Beirut.

The hijacked plane then embarked on a circuitous journey, making stops in Algeria and back to Beirut, where more armed terrorists boarded. The tense negotiations continued, with the U.S. and Israel under immense pressure to secure the release of the hostages.

After 17 days of agonizing uncertainty, the remaining hostages were finally freed. They were transported to Syria and then flown to West Germany, where they were greeted by President and Mrs. Reagan. The hijacking of TWA Flight 847 became a defining moment in the fight against terrorism, highlighting the brutality of extremist groups and the resilience of the human spirit.

While Hezbollah denies any involvement, Hassan Izz-Al-Din remains on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list. Mohammed Ali Hamadi, captured in 1987, was sentenced to life imprisonment for Stethem's murder but later paroled. Unconfirmed reports suggest he was killed in a drone strike in 2010. The U.S. government continues to offer a reward for information leading to the capture of both men.