Mossad: The Real-Life Spy Agency Behind the Headlines

This exclusive look into Mossad’s legendary operations comes from an in-depth interview between V24 founder Stefan Tompson and former Mossad agent Avner Avraham, offering a rare glimpse into the shadowy world of Israeli intelligence. Video coming soon!

A Legacy Forged in Survival

We all love a good spy story. James Bond, Jason Bourne, you name it. But then there's the real-world spy "game". The Mossad.

Israel's need for intelligence was evident from its inception. On May 14, 1948, the Israeli state was born amidst turmoil. Within hours, its neighbors launched attacks, forcing the young nation to rely on sheer ingenuity and resilience to survive. And so rose the Mossad in the 1950s.

Let’s dive into five of its most legendary missions:

Operation Finale (1)

Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi architect of the Holocaust, evaded justice after WWII, living freely in Argentina.

In 1960, Mossad agents tracked him down and devised an elaborate plan to capture and smuggle him to Israel for trial.

Posing as an El Al airline navigator, Eichmann was drugged and secretly flown to Jerusalem, where he stood trial for his crimes against humanity.

This mission was immortalized in the film Operation Finale (2018).

Operation Diamond (2)

In 1966, Mossad pulled off a bold Cold War coup, persuading Iraqi Air Force Captain Munir Redfa to defect with his MiG-21 fighter jet.

As a Christian in Muslim-majority Iraq, Redfa faced systemic discrimination. Mossad seized the opportunity, turning his discontent into cooperation.

The MiG-21, a cutting-edge Soviet aircraft, was a jackpot of intelligence. In return for the jet, Mossad ensured Redfa’s family’s safe escape and a new life abroad.

This prize wasn’t just a win for Israel. The intelligence was shared with the U.S., bolstering Israel’s alliance with the West and giving NATO a vital edge in the Cold War.

The film, The Angel (2018) includes a portrayal of Redfa's defection.

Operation Wrath of God (3)

The 1972 Munich Olympics witnessed one of the darkest days in sports history when Palestinian terrorists murdered 11 Israeli athletes.

Prime Minister Golda Meir's decision not to bargain led to Operation Wrath of God, a covert mission aimed at tracking down those responsible for the massacre. It marked a turning point in Israeli counterterrorism, reshaping its approach to protecting the state.

Mossad’s most notorious strike occurred in Paris, where agents assassinated a key terrorist mastermind, Ahmed Jibril, using a bomb placed under his phone.

This covert mission was dramatized in the film Munich (2005).

Operation Moses (4)

In the 1980s, Ethiopia’s Jewish community was trapped in famine and persecution, and the government refused to let them leave, using them as pawns in negotiations with Israel.

In response, Mossad launched Operation Moses, a covert mission to rescue 8,000 Ethiopian Jews. Efforts to rescue Ethiopian Jews continued into the 1990s.

Mossad agents infiltrated Sudan, where they set up a decoy hotel near the Red Sea. Mossad agents, posing as hotel staff and guests, maintained their cover by hosting surreal Christmas parties in a Muslim-majority country. This allowed the agents to blend Ethiopian Jews among the guests, ultimately moving them to safety with the help of the Israeli Navy.

The mission’s legacy lives on in films like The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019), which fictionalizes these events.

The Modern Era: Precision in Tehran (5)

On July 31, 2024, Ismail Haniyeh, a top Hamas leader, was assassinated in Tehran. While the operation's exact details remain classified, the surgical strike epitomized Mossad’s ability to operate deep in hostile territory.

Haniyeh’s death was carried out with incredible precision. A bodyguard was placed close to him, posing as a trusted ally, allowing Mossad agents to strike at the heart of Hamas leadership.

By Way of Deception, Thou Shalt Do War

The Mossad's motto, "By way of deception, thou shalt do war," encapsulates its ethos.

In a world where threats are increasingly complex and global, Mossad's actions continue to demonstrate the power of intelligence in shaping international relations and ensuring safety.

Mossad's legacy reminds us that espionage is not just an art but a critical tool in the fight for peace and security.

Alexandra Audrey Tompson

Journalist | Lawyer (Admitted in New York; England & Wales)