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David Barnea

Former senior Mossad official, Aleph, with back to camera, speaks to Dana Weiss of Channel 12 news, in an interview June 6, 2026. (Channel 12 screenshot)
June 7, 2026, 12:30 am
Iranian regime will fall sooner or later, but US stopped war too early, ex-Mossad agent says
Israeli plan to bring down the regime was interrupted by the US decision to halt fighting, says ‘Aleph,’ a former senior official; dismisses reported US criticism that the agency’s plan was ‘farcical’ and ‘bullshit’
By Rossella Tercatin
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, shakes hands with new Mossad chief Roman Gofman at a welcoming ceremony, June 2, 2026. (Haim Zach/GPO)
June 6, 2026, 11:32 pm
Days into role, new Mossad chief dismisses highly experienced deputy director
‘Aleph’ fired after 22 years of service as Gofman ‘shapes new leadership’; decision reportedly criticized internally as new chief lacks experience, needs guidance
By Rossella Tercatin
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, shakes hands with new Mossad chief Roman Gofman at a welcoming ceremony, June 2, 2026. (Haim Zach/GPO)
June 2, 2026, 7:28 pm
Gofman sworn in as Mossad chief; Netanyahu tells him to help bring down Iran regime
At Jerusalem ceremony, PM says his former military secretary’s new mission is to ensure Iran can no longer pose a threat, vows the ‘regime of terror will pass from this world’
By Nava Freiberg and Emanuel Fabian
Mossad chief David Barnea (L) and Shin Bet chief David Zini at a Memorial Day ceremony at the Western Wall, in Jerusalem's Old City, April 20, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
May 13, 2026, 5:26 pm
Reports: Mossad, Shin Bet chiefs secretly visited UAE during Iran war
Meetings said to have been organized in March and April for ‘coordination’ between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi on defensive and offensive efforts against Tehran
By Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff
Incoming Mossad director Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman arrives for a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset on February 5, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 13, 2026, 12:01 am
High Court demands documents to review Mossad chief’s appointment, but unsure it can intervene
Asking why key questions weren’t raised by selection panel, justices order IDF officer to file affidavit over claim Roman Gofman lied to army and abandoned a jailed teen he had worked with in 2022
By Jeremy Sharon
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) shakes hands with Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, his military secretary, whom he nominated on December 4, 2025, to be the next director of the Mossad. (Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson)
May 11, 2026, 9:57 pm
Netanyahu defends his pick for Mossad chief; said to blast outgoing head for opposition
David Barnea reportedly said Roman Gofman unfit for the post because he violated IDF procedures in 2022 scandal; AG also opposes appointment; PM claims ‘political considerations’ at play
By Lazar Berman
Mossad chief David Barnea speaks at a ceremony recognizing the agency’s 2025 achievements, April 27, 2026. (Courtesy)
April 28, 2026, 2:15 pm
Mossad chief says agency’s operations penetrated ‘core’ of Iran, Lebanon secrets
Barnea commends 10 operations and projects for outstanding achievements in 2025, notes that cooperation with the military had ‘changed Israel’s strategic posture’
By Stav Levaton and ToI Staff
Mossad chief David Barnea attends a Memorial Day ceremony at the Western Wall, in Jerusalem's Old City, April 20, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
April 28, 2026, 9:14 am
Outgoing Mossad chief reportedly says Qatargate affair didn’t seem to harm state security
David Barnea said to stress that his comments, which contradict position of ex-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, don’t touch on potential corruption allegations against Netanyahu’s aides
By Nava Freiberg
Mossad chief David Barnea attends a Memorial Day ceremony at the Western Wall, in Jerusalem's Old City, April 20, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
April 21, 2026, 3:48 pm
Mossad agent ‘Mem,’ who died in 2023, contributed to Iran war success, spy chief reveals
Agent was on boat that capsized in Italy’s Lake Maggiore, during reported meeting between Israeli and Italian spies
By Emanuel Fabian and Lazar Berman
US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters outside the Oval Office of the White House, April 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
April 14, 2026, 8:28 pm
Trump: Iran talks may renew in 2 days; Mossad chief: Our mission isn’t over until regime falls
US president gives contradictory accounts about speed of progress in negotiations; Barnea says Israel planned for campaign aimed at regime change ‘to continue even after strikes end’
By Lazar Berman, Jacob Magid, ToI Staff and Reuters
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and his military secretary, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, seen in a helicopter on June 30, 2024. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)
April 12, 2026, 11:42 pm
Netanyahu’s military secretary Roman Gofman approved to serve as next Mossad chief
Considered close to the PM, Gofman was controversially involved in use of a minor for an online influence campaign while a commander in IDF; 5-year term to start in June
By Lazar Berman and Emanuel Fabian
Iranians attend the funeral ceremony of Iran's Revolutionary Guards spokesperson Ali Mohammad Naini, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes, in Tehran on March 21, 2026. (AFP)
March 23, 2026, 9:39 am
Netanyahu said frustrated that Mossad promise it could instigate Iran uprising has fallen short
NYT says in leadup to war, spy agency touted plans to instigate mass resistance that could trigger regime’s collapse; instead, rulers have dug in and revolution appears unlikely
By ToI Staff
Mossad head David Barnea attends a ceremony held at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem, as Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day. April 23, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
March 20, 2026, 4:23 pm
Mossad chief told PM before war that he thought Iran’s regime could be toppled – report
Barnea said to have presented assessment that if the Iranian government were decapitated, and its institutions and means of repression seriously weakened, system could fall
By ToI Staff
Mossad head David Barnea attends a ceremony held at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem, as Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day. April 23, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
January 16, 2026, 7:34 pm
Mossad chief Barnea said in US to discuss Iran, as protests subside after killings
Putin discusses tensions in calls with Netanyahu, Pezeshkian; sporadic rallies still reported in country’s northwest region; hardline cleric demands executions
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Mossad chief David Barnea speaks at an award ceremony for agents in Jerusalem, December 17, 2025. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
December 17, 2025, 9:46 am
Mossad chief: Israel has duty to ensure Iran cannot restart nuclear program
At spy agency award ceremony, David Barnea says Islamic Republic will break out to bomb ‘as soon as it is allowed,’ says there must not be another ‘bad deal’
By AFP and ToI Staff
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