This page is subject to the extended confirmed restriction related to the Arab-Israeli conflict.International incidents The Operation Gift (Hebrew: מבצע תשורה, mivtza t'shura) was an Israeli Special Forces operation at the Beirut International Airport on the evening of 28 December 1968, in retaliation for the attack on the Israeli Airliner El Al Flight 253 two days earlier and the hijacking of El Al Flight 426 five months earlier, both by the Lebanon and Syria-based Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

A force of 36 commandos was held on standby for quick deployment at Ramat David Airbase in case a rescue mission would have to be carried out.

Two A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft and two Vautour fighter-bombers also orbited to provide air support against any Lebanese military intervention if needed.

One of the torpedo boats had to return to base due to engine trouble, while the rest of the force took positions about 25 kilometers off the Lebanese coast.

Shayetet 13 naval commandos in 13 rubber dinghies moved to within 1,500 meters of the shore to stand by and prepared to establish an alternative evacuation point if needed.

At one point, he spotted an apparent military truck trying to evade the jam and enter the airport and fired warning shots at it, causing it to come to a halt.

[4][5] Uzi Force, consisting of 22 soldiers, landed on the north edge of the western runway and found numerous parked airliners.

[4][5] Digli Force, with 20 soldiers, landed to the south and moved northward, establishing a perimeter and isolating the emergency services building.

[4][5] According to a legend told among Israeli special forces soldiers, during the closing stages of the raid, Rafael Eitan entered the terminal building after the small arms fire had ceased.

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 262 on 31 December 1968, which condemned Israel for the "premeditated military action in violation of its obligations under the Charter and the cease-fire resolutions", issued a "solemn warning to Israel that if such acts were to be repeated, the Council would have to consider further steps to give effect to its decisions", and stated that Lebanon was entitled to appropriate redress.

The French government recalled its ambassador to Israel and subsequently imposed an arms embargo, with the Israeli use of French-built helicopters in the raid cited as a factor.