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Mossad Chief Publicly Acknowledges Operative Killed Abroad in Anti-Iran Campaign

The rare on-record tribute signals unusual public recognition of Israel’s covert struggle with Iran.

Overview

  • Mossad Director David Barnea said at a memorial that an agency member known only as M. died overseas while carrying out duties tied to operations against Iran.
  • Barnea linked M.’s death to Operation Roaring Lion, a covert campaign he said relied on creativity, tradecraft, and advanced technology to blunt Iran’s efforts.
  • Reports say M.’s identity remains under a gag order, and colleagues memorialized a veteran who served in the agency for about 30 years.
  • Coverage ties the death to a May 2023 boating accident on Italy’s Lake Maggiore during a reported meeting of Israeli and Italian intelligence personnel, which also killed two Italian officers and another person.
  • Italian reports continue to flag unresolved questions about that incident, including why the boat left during a storm and claims that other Israelis were flown home on a private jet.