Early on the morning of 5 September 1972, Eight Palestinians entered the building housing the Israeli Olympic team. They killed two and took nine hostages. The demand of the Palestinians was for the release of over 200 prisoners then being held by Israel. The Olympic Games continue until the late afternoon when it is finally suspended after protests.

In the evening, the Palestinians demand to be flown out and late in the evening, two helicopters take them to the airport. At about midnight, five German snipers try to take out the Palestinians. However, the Palestinians manage to grenade one helicopter and riddle the other with bullets. All the hostages were killed and five of the Palestinians as well as a policeman killed by friendly fire.

The Germans later exchange the three surviving Palestinians for a hijacked jet. Israel then sends out assassination squads to track down and execute these three survivors. Two are found and killed leaving one, Jamal Al Gashey.

Sources:
Connolly, Marc. "When Sports Became Life and Death". ESPN. 5 Sep 2002. <http://espn.go.com/gen/s/2002/0903/1426778.html>.

Moore, Kenny. "Munich's Message". Sports Illustrated. 5 Aug 1996. <http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/events/1996/olympics/weekly/960805/munich.html>.

"The Munich Massacre". BBC Sport. 3 Sep 2000. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics2000/907614.stm>.