Report: Mossad chief Barnea to step down next June; PM begins search for successor

Three candidates reportedly under consideration, including Mossad’s deputy chief, another senior official in the spy agency, and Netanyahu’s military secretary

By Stav Levaton

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12 November 2025, 10:54 pm

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Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Mossad director David Barnea at the Prime Minister's Award ceremony in Jerusalem, September 17, 2025. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

Mossad Director David Barnea will step down from his position in June 2026, Channel 12 reported Wednesday, citing a decision reached jointly by Barnea and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the end of their most recent meeting.

According to the report on Wednesday, three candidates are currently being considered to succeed Barnea: Mossad’s current deputy chief, known only as “Alef”; a senior official referred to as “Chet,” who has held a central operational role in the agency for the past two years; and Netanyahu’s military secretary, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman.

Barnea, the last senior defense official still in his post from the time of the October 7 Hamas attacks, is expected to conclude his term after nearly five years at the helm of Israel’s intelligence agency.

Among those who have already stepped down are former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Unlike those officials, Barnea was not seen as bearing significant responsibility for the Oct. 7 disaster, as it was the IDF and the Shin Bet, and not Mossad, who oversaw intelligence on Gaza.

Barnea has been credited with major operational successes in the two years since the Hamas onslaught, including the exploding-beeper operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and operations during the 12-day war against Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

When Barnea took office, he told people in private that he viewed thwarting Iran’s nuclear program as his primary responsibility, according to Channel 12. The spy agency played a central role in the brief June war that saw Israel kill many of Iran’s nuclear scientists and generals, and bombard key facilities.

Should Barnea wish to enter politics after he leaves office, he will have to wait a three-year “cooling off” period.

He is expected to enter business, according to Channel 12, which noted that Barnea earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business while studying in New York after his release from mandatory military service.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.