During the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, a terrorist group known as Black September infiltrated the Olympic village, taking hostage a group of Israeli athletes. The assault began early in the morning on September 5, 1972, when the terrorists entered the Israeli team's quarters and killed two athletes, wrestling coach Moshe Weinberg and weightlifter Yossef Romano, in a violent confrontation. The remaining nine members of the team were held captive, with the terrorists demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. In the following chaotic hours, negotiations took place, but they proved fruitless.

On September 6, a rescue operation was attempted at the Fürstenfeldbruck airbase, where the hostages were to be transferred. However, the operation was poorly executed and led to gunfire erupting between the German police and the terrorists. All nine Israeli hostages were killed in the shootout, along with a German policeman. The incident lasted over 20 hours and ended tragically, shaking not only the Olympic spirit but also the international community’s perception of terrorism and Middle Eastern conflicts.

The Munich Massacre had profound implications for Olympic security and international relations. It led to increased security measures at future Olympic Games and prompted discussions about terrorism and its roots in political struggles. Moreover, it galvanized Jewish identity and international sympathy towards Israel, impacting the geopolitical landscape and setting the stage for future conflicts.