Olmert Reveals Dramatic 2007 Syria Nuclear Reactor Strike Details

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, celebrating his 80th birthday, has shared previously undisclosed details about the 2007 Israeli airstrike that destroyed a Syrian nuclear reactor. In an interview with Amit Segal, Olmert recounted the intelligence gathering, the "pirate" operation by Mossad chief Yossi Cohen in Europe, and the difficult decision to prioritize the reactor strike over efforts to locate captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Olmert highlighted the crucial role of a young Mossad agent, referred to as "Anat," who insisted on the existence of a Syrian nuclear program despite skepticism from her superiors. Her intuition, stemming from intelligence fragments, was key to initiating the investigation. This contrasted with the experiences of female intelligence personnel who were previously dismissed. The discovery was spurred by the 2003 revelation of Libya's nuclear program, which shocked Israel and led to a directive from then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to pursue any nuclear activity clues.

Olmert described the tense moments after receiving confirmation of the reactor, stating, "There is a nuclear reactor in Syria, we will destroy it." He recalled the immense pressure and the fear of leaks, noting that over 2,500 individuals were aware of the operation, with strict measures taken to maintain secrecy, including interrogations by the Shin Bet for any breaches. He also revealed that the operation's success was partly due to Syria's unawareness of Israel's knowledge, which prevented them from taking defensive measures like shielding the facility with civilians.

The former prime minister also discussed the operational challenges, including a daring, unauthorized attempt by Yossi Cohen to recruit the Syrian nuclear program's head, which Olmert deemed both reckless and potentially brilliant. He also addressed the difficult trade-off between allocating resources to the reactor operation and the search for Gilad Shalit, explaining that the intelligence and surveillance capabilities were limited and had to be prioritized.

Olmert drew parallels to Menachem Begin's decision to bomb the Iraqi reactor before elections, emphasizing the strategic imperative of acting decisively. He also reflected on the nature of leadership, the importance of listening to younger, less experienced personnel, and the existential threat posed by a nuclear-armed Syria, which he considered a more immediate danger than previous threats.

Finally, Olmert commented on the current security situation, criticizing the release of Hamas leaders like Sinwar in exchange for hostages, contrasting it with his own stance on the Gilad Shalit deal. He attributed the failures of October 7th to arrogance and complacency, suggesting that a different approach would have been taken under his leadership.