Inside the Mossad

Key Takeaways

Yossi Cohen, former Mossad Director, details high-stakes espionage operations and intelligence challenges.
Mossad's advanced technological capabilities enabled complex operations, including remote assassinations.
Intelligence failures in Gaza before October 7th are attributed to Mossad's non-involvement in the territory.
Cohen holds Prime Minister Netanyahu responsible for October 7th, stating the war's end depends on Hamas.
The Abraham Accords significantly advanced under President Trump, creating new regional peace possibilities.
Qatar plays a complex, dual role, supporting Hamas while facilitating critical negotiations.
A negative trend in U.S. public opinion and bipartisan support for Israel is a growing concern.
Mossad operatives utilize hundreds of identities, building deep trust to extract information.

Yossi Cohen, known as 'Y' or 'The Model,' served 38 years in Mossad, eventually becoming its director.
He orchestrated operations including stealing half a ton of Iranian nuclear documents from a Tehran warehouse.
Cohen directed the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist using a remote, AI-powered machine gun.
His career also involved setting the stage for the Hezbollah pager attack and establishing secret relationships with Arab leaders.

Cohen's book, 'The Sword of Freedom,' details his inclination for espionage, enjoying the risk and achieving unconventional targets under various cover identities.
He operated under hundreds of different identities throughout his career.
Mossad policy now allows operatives' wives to know their husbands' general roles, although not all sensitive details, following vetting and polygraph examinations.

Yossi Cohen directed the 2020 assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist.
The operation used an AI-powered machine gun, smuggled into Iran piece by piece, reassembled in a pickup truck, and operated remotely via a secret command center.
This method was chosen to minimize risk to operatives, as the target was protected by numerous bodyguards and a convoy.
Intelligence gathering included recruiting individuals within the target's circle, electronic hacking, and meticulous observation of daily routines.

Mossad's Hezbollah pager operation was planned over 20 years, beginning with infiltrating Hezbollah's supply chain by selling them manipulated pagers.
The pagers were designed to mimic original devices in functionality and appearance to pass security checks.
Cohen confirms Mossad possesses a large technology unit, comparable to 'Q' in James Bond films.

Mossad's external focus meant its intelligence methods were not applied in Gaza, which fell under Shin Bet's purview.
Cohen proposed in 2016 that Mossad take responsibility for intelligence and special operations in Gaza due to poor intelligence levels.
The proposal was refused, a decision Cohen attributes to a lack of humility among decision-makers, calling it a significant mistake.
Cohen states that intelligence was a major failure leading up to the October 7th attacks.

Yossi Cohen asserts Prime Minister Netanyahu is responsible for everything that occurred on October 7th, considering responsibility inherent in the role.
Cohen believes Netanyahu does not desire an endless war but seeks specific achievements: defeating Hamas and returning hostages.
He suggests that Hamas holding hostages may paradoxically keep them in power, indicating the decision to end the war rests with Hamas.

Cohen credits President Trump with significantly advancing the Abraham Accords, resulting in three or four peace treaties during his presidency.
He expresses strong faith in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, describing him as a pivotal, tough, and pragmatic leader.
Saudi Arabia's private discussions indicate willingness to normalize with Israel if the Gaza war ends and they secure a U.S. defense pact, including civil nuclear enrichment capabilities.

Qatar plays a complex role, harboring Hamas leadership and broadcasting Al Jazeera, while also negotiating hostage deals and hosting a major U.S. air base.
Israel has historically worked pragmatically with Qatar to meet Gaza's needs, not officially considering it an enemy.
Cohen describes the situation as 'schizophrenic,' noting Israelis work in and sell defense technology to Qatar.
He suggests a recalculation of Qatar's role after the current conflict.

Cohen believes Iran's nuclear capacities have been destroyed, though not to zero, anticipating improved security for Israel and better peace treaty negotiations.
He acknowledges a concerning trend of declining American public support for Israel, particularly among young adults, citing a Pew study.
Cohen emphasizes the critical importance of a strong America and maintaining bipartisan support for Israel's security.
He views Israel becoming a partisan issue in the U.S. as a 'very bad direction'.