Japanese militant Kozo Okamoto, who participated in a 1972 deadly attack on an Israeli airport, has died in Beirut at the age of 78.

Kozo Okamoto died in Beirut on Thursday at the age of 78, according to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The Japanese militant was a prominent member of the Japanese Red Army guerrilla group and was known for his long-term commitment to the Palestinian cause. Okamoto gained international recognition for his role in a 1972 attack on the international airport outside Tel Aviv. Alongside two colleagues, he opened fire with rifles and grenades, killing 26 people and wounding dozens. Following the attack, Okamoto served 13 years in an Israeli prison before being released in 1985 during a prisoner exchange. After moving to Lebanon, Okamoto received political asylum and became a celebrated figure in the Arab world. He lived a relatively secluded life in Beirut, where he was often referred to as "Ahmad the Japanese." The PFLP lauded his "unwavering support" and "immense sacrifices" during his decades of service as a resistance fighter against Israel.

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