Israeli Mossad Shaken by Resignation of Senior Officials

Mossad’s chief David Barnea
Mossad’s chief David Barnea
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Israeli Mossad Shaken by Resignation of Senior Officials

Mossad’s chief David Barnea
Mossad’s chief David Barnea

The Israeli foreign intelligence service is witnessing a shock “of a dangerous strategic dimension”, after three generals - members of the Chiefs of Staff and heads of three central divisions - submitted their resignations in protest at fundamental changes made by the agency’s new chief, David Barnea.

Former Mossad officials warned of the consequences of these changes, and their impact on the planned operations in the near term.

According to well-informed sources, the divisions that saw their heads resign, include the Technology, the War on Terror, and the Tsumet, which is responsible for operating agents. The head of the Strategic War division is also expected to resign.

Many believe that the latest developments would leave devastating effects and undermine strategic operations.

According to a former high-ranking source in the apparatus, at least two of the resigned generals were considered among the main candidates to head the Mossad in the future, that is, after the end of Barnea’s term.

The former Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, had established strong friendly relations within the apparatus, and was able to focus most efforts on foreign operations, especially those carried out on Iranian soil to combat the nuclear project.

Barnea, who was appointed to the post by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and took office in early June, decided to make fundamental changes within the Mossad, cancelling several departments, which he considered old and not useful, and merging some others.

As a result, a large number of senior officers will lose their jobs and will have to leave the service, while other generals will lose their powers, sparking great anger in their ranks.



Death Toll in Russian Missile Strike in Central Ukraine Reaches 18

Emergency employees carry the body of a person killed in a residential area by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine April 4, 2025.  REUTERS/Stringer
Emergency employees carry the body of a person killed in a residential area by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Death Toll in Russian Missile Strike in Central Ukraine Reaches 18

Emergency employees carry the body of a person killed in a residential area by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine April 4, 2025.  REUTERS/Stringer
Emergency employees carry the body of a person killed in a residential area by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

The death toll from a Russian missile strike in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has risen to 18, including nine children, regional governor Serhii Lysak said Saturday.
A further 61 people were injured in Friday’s attack, ranging from a 3-month-old baby to elderly residents. Forty remain hospitalized, including two children in critical condition and 17 in serious condition, The Associated Press reported.
“There can never be forgiveness for this,” said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s defense council. “Eternal memory to the victims.”
Kryvyi Rih is the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“The missile struck an area right next to residential buildings — hitting a playground and ordinary streets,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
Local authorities said the strike damaged about 20 apartment buildings, more than 30 vehicles, an educational building and a restaurant.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed Friday that it had carried out a high-precision missile strike with a high explosive warhead on a restaurant where a meeting with unit commanders and Western instructors was taking place.
The Russian military claimed that the strike killed 85 military personnel and foreign officers and destroyed 20 vehicles. The military’s claims could not be independently verified. The Ukrainian General Staff rejected the claims.
A later drone strike on Kryvyi Rih killed one woman and wounded seven other people.
Zelenskyy blamed the daily strikes on Russia’s unwillingness to end the war: “Every missile, every drone strike proves Russia wants only war," he said, urging Ukraine’s allies to increase pressure on Moscow and bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.
“The United States, Europe, and the rest of the world have enough power to make Russia abandon terror and war,” he said.