David Barnea

Gofman takes Mossad by storm, as spy org. ramps up plans to topple Islamic regime

New Mossad Director Roman Gofman, the first outsider to lead the spy agency since 2011, is exploring new methods to topple Iran's Islamic regime.

Mossad Director Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman attends a ceremony marking the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle of the 7th Armored Brigade at the National Library in Jerusalem, on December 14, 2025.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds first working meeting with the Director of the Mossad Roman Gofman at the Mossad headquarters.

Netanyahu holds first working meeting with new Mossad chief Gofman

ONE OF the Mossad’s notable failures is the botched assassination attempt of then-Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in 1997. The organization’s incoming chief, Roman Gofman, will need to both examine and reform the Mossad’s inner workings.

Middle Israel: Roman Gofman's Mossad successes will be measured by Barnea's failures - opinion

President Isaac Herzog hosts the President's Decoration Award Ceremony at the president house in Jerusalem. October 22, 2025.

Herzog awards Mossad, IAI, IAF prize for capability-expanding classified system - exclusive


Mossad, Shin Bet chiefs to take part in hostage deal summit on Thursday

Qatar and Egypt have been the main mediators for the deal with the help of the United States.

(L-R) Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, Mossad director David Barnea and IDF chief Herzi Halevi seen on May 5, 2024

'Sinwar is the obstacle to the agreement, not me': PM approves delegation to head to Cairo talks

The PMO denied allegations that Hamas agreed to a deal and that negotiations stalled due to attempts by Israel to change conditions.

 Benjamin Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar

No return of terrorists and holding Philadelphi: Israel's hostage deal demands - report

The Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Akhbar published a report detailing Israel's alleged conditions for a hostage.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a press conference amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 13, 2024.

Mossad chief returns from Rome with hostage deal clarifications

“The negotiations on the main issues will continue in the coming days,” a statement by the Prime Minister's Office stated.

 David Barnea, the head of the Israeli Mossad attends an honour guard ceremony for Israel's incoming military chief Herzi Halevi at Israel's Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel January 16, 2023.

Israel sends updated Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal proposal to US

Israel believes that a united front with the US is important to get Hamas to agree to the three-phase deal, originally proposed by US President Joe Biden in May. 

 Families of Americans held hostage by Hamas speak with members of the press after meeting with US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outside the White House in Washington, US, July 25, 2024.

Netanyahu sends adviser Ophir Falk to join hostage talk delegation, excludes security heads

Prime Minister Netanyahu sent advisor Ophir Falk and Mossad chief David Barnea to Qatar for hostage discussions. Falk's role is oversight, amid tensions over his inclusion in previous talks.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: 'We are closer to a deal than we have ever been'

Earlier, Netanyahu sent a team led by Mossad Director David Barnea to participate in further negotiations for a deal after Hamas dropped its demand for an upfront pledge that Israel ends the war. 

 Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attends a state ceremony for fallen Israeli soldiers whose burial place is unknown at Mount Herzl Military cemetery in Jerusalem on March 17, 2024

Mossad head will fly to Qatar, Shin Bet chief to Egypt, PMO confirms

It should be noted that it was already indicated earlier that Hamas would reject the US proposed plan, which included concessions from Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with outgoing Mossad chief Yossi Cohen and incoming Mossad chief David Barnea at a farewell event for Cohen, May 31, 2021. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with outgoing Mossad chief Yossi Cohen and incoming Mossad chief David Barnea at a farewell event for Cohen,

Netanyahu rejected Gaza deal outline before meeting hostage families - report

As families worry about the fate of their loved ones, N12 reported that Netanyahu was presented with a framework for a deal but rejected it.

 PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Minister without Portfolio Benny Gantz hold a news conference in Tel Aviv, in November.

Israel accepts US hostage deal compromise, awaits Hamas response

There were major disagreements in the Israeli delegation about the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released, and no major breakthrough has happened in the talks since.

 Demonstrators protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv, March 23, 2024