I don't claim to be an expert in hostage rescue operations, but I do agree with Hesiod that any rescue operation which directly killed 117 people doesn't seem like much of a "success."
It's 1997. Some white supremacist/Christian Identity movement terrorists take over a the Wintergarden Theater during a performance of Cats , and take 1200 people hostage. After 2 days Janet Reno authorizes a rescue mission which has the government pumping some unknown poison gas into the theater. All terrorists are killed, along with 150 of the hostages.
A success?
