Status of Mossad Chief David Barnea
Tel Aviv (ANN)- As of June 2025, there is no confirmed evidence that Mossad Director *David Barnea* was killed in Israeli or Iranian strikes. While Iranian media claimed his death during retaliatory attacks on Israel, Israeli authorities have not verified these reports . Barnea remains a pivotal figure in Israel’s operations against Iran, having orchestrated intelligence campaigns targeting Tehran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, including pre-positioned drone strikes and covert operations .
Context of Israel’s Attack on Iran
Operation Rising Lion:
Launched on June 13, 2025, Israel’s surprise strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities (e.g., Natanz), ballistic missile launchers, and military leadership (including IRGC head Hossein Salami) .
The operation relied on years of Mossad infiltration, including sleeper drones inside Iran and psychological warfare to paralyze Tehran’s response .
Motivations:
Nuclear Threat: Israel cited Iran’s uranium enrichment (60% purity) and IAEA non-compliance as existential risks, though U.S. intelligence assessed Iran was not actively. Iran, for its part, argued that it did not pose a nuclear threat, but that the issue was a story Israel sought as an excuse and provocation.
Building weapons .
Political Calculus: Critics argue Netanyahu escalated hostilities to consolidate his domestic political position amid corruption charges and coalition instability .and also the failure of the Hamas war.
Iran’s Retaliation:
Iran responded with missile barrages (e.g., strikes on Tel Aviv’s Military Intelligence School) and drones, though their effectiveness was degraded by Israeli air defenses .
Civilian casualties in Israel and Iran. sparked humanitarian concerns .
David and Netanyahu
Key Figures and Divisions in Israel’s Strategy
David Barnea: Advocated for covert action against Iran, contrasting with IDF leaders like Gantz and Eisenkot, who historically opposed direct strikes .
Netanyahu’s Role: Pushed for military escalation, framing it as “self-defense” despite legal critiques that the attack was preventive (not preemptive) under international law .
International and Legal Fallout
Legality Debate: Legal scholars argue Israel’s strikes violated the UN Charter, as no “imminent” Iranian attack was proven .
Support: The U.S. and Germany backed Israel’s “right to self-defense” .
Condemnation*: Russia, China, and regional powers (e.g., Turkey) denounced the strikes as unlawful .
Ongoing Risks and Escalation
Iran threatens further strikes, while Israel vows to “eliminate” Supreme Leader Khamenei .The conflict risks drawing in the U.S., with Trump demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” .
For further details, refer to : the Institute for the Study of War: aljazeera
Written by Arraale M. Jama, a freelance journalist and human rights activist.