Security · Full coverage
Son of 1972 Lod Airport Attack Victim Reflects on Death of Japanese Terrorist Kozo Okamoto
How 8 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
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Center 4Right 4
By נינה פוקס
First reported by Behadrei Haredim · Jul 23, 2026
What happened
Kozo Okamoto, the Japanese terrorist behind the 1972 Lod Airport massacre that killed 24 people including Professor Aharon Katzir, has died at 78 in Beirut. Survivors and victims’ families recall the attack’s trauma and express mixed feelings about his death, marking closure to a brutal chapter in Israeli history.
- 01Kozo Okamoto, Japanese Red Army member, died at 78 in Beirut.
- 02Okamoto participated in the 1972 Lod Airport attack killing 24 and injuring 71.
- 03He was captured, imprisoned, and released in 1985 in a prisoner exchange.
- 04Abraham Katzir, son of victim Aharon Katzir, expressed no hatred but relief at Okamoto's death.
- 05Survivor Eti Ringel described lasting trauma and mixed emotions over Okamoto’s death.
- 06The attack remains one of Israel’s most brutal terrorist incidents with lasting impact.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
Full coverage · 8 outlets
The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.
YnetCenter · HebrewJul 23, 2026
Son of 1972 Lod Airport Attack Victim Reflects on Death of Japanese Terrorist Kozo Okamoto
Kikar HaShabbatRight · HebrewJul 23, 2026
Japanese Terrorist Behind 1972 Lod Airport Massacre Dies in Beirut at 78
Kikar HaShabbatRight · HebrewJul 23, 2026
Japanese Terrorist Behind 1972 Lod Airport Massacre Dies in Beirut at 78
Channel 13Center · HebrewJul 23, 2026
Kozo Okamoto, Leader of 1972 Ben Gurion Airport Massacre, Dies in Beirut at 78
Now 14Right · HebrewJul 23, 2026
Japanese Terrorist Who Killed 24 at Ben Gurion Airport Dies in Beirut After 54 Years
WallaCenter · HebrewJul 23, 2026
Kozo Okamoto, Japanese Terrorist Behind Lod Airport Massacre, Dies in Lebanon
Kan NewsCenter · HebrewJul 23, 2026
Japanese Terrorist Kozo Okamoto Dies at 78, Famed for 1972 Lod Airport Attack
YnetCenter · HebrewJul 23, 2026
Japanese Terrorist Kozo Okamoto, Responsible for 1972 Tel Aviv Airport Massacre, Dies in Beirut at 78
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