On June 14, 1985, TWA Flight 847 was hijacked shortly after taking off from Athens, Greece, en route to Rome, Italy. The hijackers, members of the Islamic Jihad Organization, sought the release of prisoners held by Israel. The 39 American hostages were held under harsh conditions, facing threats of violence that heightened the urgency of their situation. The hijackers diverted the flight to Beirut, Lebanon, where it was kept for several days, further complicating diplomatic efforts for their release. Throughout the hostage crisis, the families of those on board highlighted the psychological toll on the captives and themselves, bringing a human element to the negotiations.

Negotiations involved multiple parties, including U.S. officials, Lebanese intermediaries, and other influential factions in the region. The U.S. government, under President Ronald Reagan, faced immense pressure to secure the hostages' release without making significant concessions that could encourage future terrorism. As the situation escalated, media coverage intensified, bringing global attention to the plight of the hostages and the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics.

After 17 days of negotiations, the hostages were finally released on June 30 in Beirut. Their return was met with relief in America, but the event raised critical questions about U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and the need for a more effective strategy to handle terrorism. The state of Lebanon during this time was chaotic, with various factions battling for control, while the U.S. grappled with the implications of these negotiations on its relations with both Lebanon and other countries in the region.