While the mission is often framed through the lens of Mossad, the true heroes were the Ethiopian Jews who undertook an "odyssey" on foot.
Thousands walked over 300 miles from northern Ethiopia to Sudan through mountains and deserts. Rescate En El Mar Rojo
Approximately 1,500 to 1,700 people died during the journey from starvation, illness, or attacks by bandits. While the mission is often framed through the
Red Sea Diving Resort: The holiday village run by spies - BBC 500 to 1
Agents worked as diving instructors and hotel staff, hosting real tourists—including Saudi hunters and British commandos—to maintain their cover.
The mission evolved from sea-based rescues to complex airlifts as the number of refugees grew.