Japanese Terrorist Kozo Okamoto, Responsible for 1972 Ben Gurion Airport Attack, Dies in Beirut

Kozo Okamoto, the Japanese terrorist who was part of the group that killed 24 people in the 1972 attack at Ben Gurion Airport, died at age 78 in Beirut. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) announced his death, referring to him as "the Japanese Ahmad," and noted his unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, particularly highlighting his role in the "Lod Airport operation."

On May 30, 1972, Okamoto arrived at Lod Airport (now Ben Gurion Airport) on an Air France flight and, along with two accomplices, opened fire on passengers, killing 24 and injuring 71. Okamoto was wounded, captured, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released in 1985 as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Israel and subsequently lived in Lebanon.

Okamoto and his two partners belonged to the Japanese Red Army, a communist terrorist organization, but carried out the attack on behalf of the PFLP, with which they had close ties. The attack ended with the deaths of two of the terrorists, while Okamoto was captured. Despite repeated requests from the Japanese government for his extradition, Lebanon refused to hand him over.

Okamoto rarely appeared in public, but in May 2022 he made a rare public appearance at a ceremony in Beirut marking the 50th anniversary of the deadly attack. The event took place at a cemetery where many Palestinian terrorists are buried, near a monument dedicated to four Japanese citizens active in Palestinian organizations. Okamoto attended with a Palestinian flag around his neck and a PFLP slogan, appearing frail and needing assistance to walk. He did not speak during the 30-minute ceremony but occasionally smiled and waved.