I live in Malta, where this happened. AMA.
Did the general public support the unit, or did everyone agree that they fucked up?
I’d say 50-50, population-wise. The hardcore labour party supporters (government at the time) won’t admit that anything bad ever happened while they were in power.
Everyone else knows it’s one of the biggest avoidable disasters to ever happen on our tiny island.
Did anyone get punished?
Edit. Did anyone besides the original terrorist get punished?
Lolno. The prime minister at the time who made the decision to call the Egyptians in for no valid reason (and refused help from France, the UK, and US) allegedly wanted to resign, because it turns out the Egyptian commandos were only interested in getting the terrorists and actually gave zero shits about saving lives.
Anyway, the suckups in government ended up convincing him to stay in power.
