The Mossad is the national intelligence agency of Israel, responsible for intelligence collection, covert operations abroad and counter-terrorism work.
Some of the most famous operations attributed to the Mossad include the abduction of Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann from Argentina to Israel in 1960 and the successful heist of the Iranian secret nuclear archive in 2018.
In addition, the agency also works to bring Jews from countries in which aliyah is forbidden, to Israel.
The Mossad was found in December 1941 under the recommendation of then prime minister David Ben-Gurion to coordinate with other existing security services, Aman and the Shin Bet.
Its current director is David Barnea, who took over from Yossi Cohen in 2021, and who answers solely to the prime minister rather than to another member of the cabinet.
In a message relayed through recently freed captives, hostage Nimrod Cohen tells his family he's okay, while his father accuses Netanyahu of undermining Israel's security chiefs in rescue efforts.
Netanyahu and top security officials trade blame and credit over the latest hostage deal, as tensions rise over the October 7 probe and shifts in the negotiation team.
Ron Dermer is known for his deep personal and political alignment with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior members of US President Donald Trump's administration.
To all the hostages who hear me now, know that the fight is ongoing, and we are not giving up on you," Aloni said.
A new American administration appears ready to seize the opportunity that Israel created for a better Middle East and a safer world. The world will be better for it.
Towing the line between diplomat and intelligence agent, Burns's trips to the region are shrouded under a cloak of mystery.
Barnea has made no fully public comments and endeavored to stay in the shadows.
A Hamas hostage video of Liri Albag has deepened calls for swift action, as her family’s plea underscores the emotional toll and fears of a fractured Israeli society amid prolonged negotiations.
Likud lawmaker invoked parliamentary immunity to avoid investigation into allegations she made about a protest leader's supposed Hamas ties
Israel’s spy network infiltrated Hezbollah for decades, leading to Hassan Nasrallah's assassination and the world-renowned explosive pager operation.
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