The Successes and Failures of Israel's Intelligence Agency Mossad



The Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, is one of the world’s most influential and enigmatic agencies. Founded in 1949, Mossad has conducted numerous high-profile missions, both successful and unsuccessful. Below is a look at some of Mossad’s notable operations that have defined its legacy.

Successful Operations:

1. Operation Entebbe (1976)

Operation Entebbe is regarded as one of Mossad's most successful missions. In 1976, Palestinian and German hijackers took control of a French airliner and diverted it to Uganda’s Entebbe Airport. Based on intelligence gathered by Mossad, Israeli commandos launched a daring 90-minute raid, rescuing 102 hostages and neutralizing the hijackers.

2. Operation Wrath of God (1972-1988)

In response to the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, where Palestinian terrorist group Black September killed 11 Israeli athletes, Mossad initiated a secret campaign. Over the next decade, Mossad agents tracked down and assassinated approximately 20 members of Black September across Europe, seeking vengeance for the Munich killings.

3. Operation Eichmann (1960)

Adolf Eichmann, one of the key architects of the Holocaust, fled to Argentina after World War II. In 1960, Mossad agents located and kidnapped Eichmann, bringing him to Israel for trial, where he was convicted and executed for his war crimes.

4. Operation Diamond (1966)

In this covert operation, Mossad succeeded in acquiring a Soviet-made MiG-21 fighter jet from Iraq. This acquisition allowed Israel and Western allies to study Soviet aircraft technology, offering a strategic advantage during the Cold War.

Failed Operations:

1. The Lillehammer Affair (1973)

One of Mossad's most notorious failures, the Lillehammer Affair involved the mistaken assassination of an innocent Moroccan waiter, Ahmed Bouchiki, in Norway. Mossad agents had confused Bouchiki for a key Black September leader. Several Mossad operatives were arrested, leading to international outrage and embarrassment.

2. Operation Swordfish (1997)

Mossad's attempt to assassinate Imad Mughniyah, a top Hezbollah leader, ended in failure. In a case of mistaken identity, Mossad agents poisoned an innocent man who was thought to be Mughniyah’s advisor. The botched operation exposed Mossad’s involvement and led to negative diplomatic fallout.

3. Dubai Hamas Assassination (2010)

In 2010, Mossad orchestrated the assassination of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai. While the assassination itself was successful, the agents' identities were exposed through CCTV footage. Their disguises and passports were traced back to Israel, leading to global condemnation and diplomatic strains.

4. Operation Susannah (1954)

Also known as the Lavon Affair, this mission involved Israeli agents attempting to bomb British and American targets in Egypt to strain relations between Egypt and the West. However, the operation failed when the agents were caught, and the ensuing scandal led to political fallout in Israel.