Israel's intelligence agency, the Mossad, has a reputation for executing daring and innovative missions to protect the nation from terrorist threats. From taking down terrorist leaders to using unorthodox methods, the Mossad's operations have inspired movies, books, and TV shows. Here are four of the Mossad's wildest stories that showcase their strategic brilliance and unwavering commitment to justice.
Since its inception, Israel has faced threats from hostile neighbors, leading to the Mossad developing creative strategies to combat terrorism. One such strategy involved targeting terrorist group leaders to dismantle their operations. By using small, highly trained forces to assassinate key figures, the Mossad minimized civilian casualties and effectively disrupted terrorist networks.
The Mossad's operations have included some of the most daring and high-profile assassinations in modern history. One of the agency's most infamous missions was its response to the 1972 Munich Massacre. On September 5, 1972, eight gunmen of the Palestinian militant group Black September broke into the Israeli team's flat at the Olympic village in Munich, shooting two and taking nine Israelis hostage. West German police responded with a bungled rescue operation in which all nine hostages were killed, along with five of the eight hostage-takers and a police officer. The "Peace" Olympic games were meant to showcase a new Germany 27 years after the Holocaust but instead opened a deep rift with Israel. In what became known as Operation Wrath of God, the Mossad hunted down and eliminated those responsible, employing a range of ingenious tactics to track and eliminate their targets.
In 1973, the Mossad executed a bold operation in Beirut to eliminate key leaders of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) -- Muhammad Youssef al-Najjar (Abu Youssef), Kamal Adwan, Kamal Nasser. The strategy involved deploying troops from naval vessels onto Lebanon's shoreline. These soldiers would then make their way into Beirut, posing as vacationers. Once in the city, they would rendezvous with Mossad operatives who had prepared rental vehicles for their transportation to designated locations. To minimize suspicion, particularly when moving through Beirut during late-night hours, some commandos adopted female personas. This tactic was designed to make the group appear less conspicuous as they navigated the city streets around midnight. They managed to successfully take down high-ranking PLO officials, crippling the organization's infrastructure. Despite facing challenges during the mission, the Mossad's operatives accomplished their objectives with precision and stealth.
In 1978, the Mossad targeted Wadie Haddad, a prominent Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) co-founder known for orchestrating terror attacks. An RPG fired through his window had barely scratched him. A bomb dropped on a Beirut stadium had somehow missed him. Killing him at home was impossible because his wife and young children were always around. Unable to approach Haddad directly, the Mossad devised a plan to introduce a slow-acting poison into his toothpaste through a double agent. The poison gradually took effect, leading to Haddad's eventual demise.
Doctors suspected but could not prove that he had been poisoned. The PLO appealed to the Stasi, East Germany's secret police. But even the best doctors in East Germany couldn't save Haddad. His New York Times obituary reported the cause of death as cancer. Without Haddad, the PFLP dissolved, proving that targeted assassinations were the cleanest, most moral way to eliminate a threat -- without war or civilian casualties.
In 1996, the Mossad orchestrated the assassination of Yahya Ayyash, known as "The Engineer," who was responsible for constructing lethal explosive devices. A close associate of Ayyash was persuaded to cooperate with Israeli authorities. He was given a cellular phone by Israeli operatives, which contained both surveillance equipment and explosive material.
On the morning of January 5, Ayyash used this phone to answer a call from his father. Israeli surveillance aircraft in the area intercepted the conversation, confirming Ayyash's identity and location in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. They detonated the bomb remotely without causing any harm to others.
In an ambitious mission to neutralize Khaled Mashal, the Deputy Head of Hamas's political Bureau, in Amman, Jordan, in 1997, the Mossad encountered unforeseen challenges that led to the exposure of their operatives. The plan was to poison him through an ultrasound device disguised as a harmless gesture: Meshal would feel a puff of damp air, and when he turned around, all he'd see were two bumbling tourists opening a well-shaken can of soda. The agents would apologize for spraying him and then return to Israel.
The incident unfolded as Mashal was being dropped off at the "Palestinian Aid Center," a front for Hamas operations. The Mossad operatives approached Mashal as he exited his vehicle. In a twist of fate, Mashal's young daughter got out of the car and ran after her father, inadvertently alerting his driver to the presence of the suspicious individuals behind Mashal. The driver's warning cry allowed Mashal to turn and confront his assailants as they were spraying the poison, which landed in Mashal's ear.
The operatives, caught off guard, fled the scene but were pursued by local Palestinian affiliates. A physical altercation ensued on the streets of Amman, drawing the attention of passersby and ultimately leading to the capture of the two men. Jordanian authorities detained the suspects. Initial attempts by the men to pose as Canadian tourists quickly unraveled under questioning, leading to a diplomatic crisis. The Israelis handed over the antidote and Mashal recovered quickly, in exchange for the two agents coming home, bruised but alive. Jordanian King Hussein bin Talal then suspended all ties with Israel, leaving six Israeli agents trapped in the embassy, which were traded for the release of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin from an Israeli prison.
In conclusion, the Mossad's history is filled with daring and intricate missions that blur the lines between reality and fiction. The Mossad continues to uphold its mission of safeguarding Israel and pursuing justice against those who threaten its security. Beyond the high-profile assassinations, the Mossad has undertaken countless other missions that have remained largely unknown to the public. These include the rescue of hostages, the gathering of critical intelligence, and the disruption of terrorist plots. The agency's ability to operate with stealth and precision has earned it a reputation as one of the world's most elite and effective spy organizations. As new challenges emerge, the world can only speculate on the future endeavors of Israel's legendary secret agents.
