Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu paid a visit to Mossad headquarters on Wednesday evening, meeting with Mossad Director David Barnea and the organization’s senior leadership team.
During the meeting, Netanyahu voiced his gratitude to the Mossad personnel for their critical and exceptional role in Operation Rising Lion, as well as for their longstanding work in intelligence and operational activities aimed at countering Iran’s ambitions.
Netanyahu said, “The Mossad operation with the pagers set in motion everything that happened afterward – the elimination of Nasrallah, the collapse of Assad and our subsequent joint action in removing the immediate existential threat.”
He continued, “Your contribution was immense. Under the leadership of Mossad Director David Barnea, the agency proved its deep commitment to eliminating the leading minds and striking the Iranian nuclear program. Your phenomenal achievements combined very well with the great achievements of the IDF. This was a very great force multiplier. I commend you for your major and ongoing contribution to the security of Israel.”
David Barnea, head of the Mossad, addressed the team as well, emphasizing that Israel currently stands in a strategically strong position as a result of close collaboration with the military. He praised both the IDF’s exceptional performance and Mossad’s years of covert preparation against Iran’s threat.
Barnea stated, “Today, the State of Israel is in a powerful and strategic position, thanks to the outstanding cooperation with the military, which showed astounding capabilities, alongside the Mossad, which worked for years, preparing special and intelligence operations against the Iranian threat.”
He added, “There has been throughout responsible military leadership, outstanding civilian leadership, and – of course – diplomatic leadership by you, Mr. Prime Minister.
“I personally thank you for the trust you have placed in the men and women of the Mossad, and its commanders. Without this trust, we would not have achieved what we have to date, or the significant damage we inflicted in the recent campaign.”
Barnea concluded with a note of resolve, saying, “Our mission is not over. We are committed to continuing our efforts with determination in order to prevent future Iranian threats to the State of Israel, and to striving to fully utilize the strategic opportunities before us.”
{Matzav.com Israel}