Lod Airport Attacker Kozo Okamoto Dies in Beirut

Kozo Okamoto, the Japanese militant involved in the 1972 massacre at the Lod Airport in Tel Aviv, has died in Beirut, according to a report by The Washington Post on July 23, 2026. Okamoto was one of three gunmen who carried out the attack on behalf of the Japanese Red Army, resulting in the deaths of 18 people and injuring 75 others.

The 1972 attack remains one of the most lethal incidents of aviation-related terrorism in Israel’s history. According to The Washington Post, Okamoto and his accomplices were recruited by the Japanese Red Army, a Marxist-Leninist organization that sought to align itself with Palestinian militant causes during the Cold War era.

The 1972 Lod Airport Attack

On May 30, 1972, three members of the Japanese Red Army arrived at Lod Airport, now known as Ben Gurion International Airport. According to historical records cited by The Washington Post, the gunmen opened fire and detonated grenades in the arrivals lounge, targeting civilians and airport staff.

The attack was coordinated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which provided logistics and training for the Japanese operatives. The Japanese Red Army viewed the operation as a way to demonstrate international solidarity with the Palestinian struggle and to challenge global imperialism.

Capture and Legal Proceedings

Okamoto was captured by Israeli security forces during the chaos of the attack. According to The Washington Post, he was subsequently tried and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the massacre.

During his incarceration, Okamoto became a subject of international diplomatic interest. He was eventually released in 1985 as part of a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Palestine, which saw the release of several Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Japanese militant.

Life After Release and Death in Beirut

Following his release in 1985, Okamoto did not return to Japan. Instead, he remained in the Middle East, maintaining ties with various militant factions. The Washington Post reports that he spent his final years in Beirut, Lebanon, a city that served as a hub for various political and militant organizations throughout the late 20th century.

Details regarding the cause of his death in Beirut were not specified in the initial reporting. His death marks the passing of one of the few remaining active figures from the Japanese Red Army’s most violent period of operation.