Ex-PM Olmert Reveals Secrets of 2007 Syrian Nuclear Reactor Strike
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has revealed dramatic details about the 2007 operation to destroy Syria's nuclear reactor in a recent interview. Olmert stated that a young Mossad agent named Anat was the first to identify the Syrian nuclear threat, persisting in her investigation despite initial opposition from her superiors. She faced criticism and a disciplinary hearing for not being 'systemic' before her findings were validated, and she now holds a senior position.
Olmert also described a daring plan involving a senior Mossad official, Yossi Cohen, to abduct Syrian nuclear program head Ibrahim Othman to obtain a confession. Instead, Cohen approached Othman directly, telling him, "I know who you are, go away," a move Olmert acknowledged was incredibly risky but ultimately successful without repercussions for Israel.
The intense focus on the Syrian reactor, deemed an existential threat, led to a difficult decision regarding intelligence resources. Olmert admitted that due to limited satellite and photographic capabilities at the time, surveillance efforts were prioritized for Syria over the search for abducted soldier Gilad Shalit. "We didn't lose him, but we couldn't leverage intelligence capabilities to find where he was hidden," Olmert explained.
Maintaining secrecy for the operation, which involved 2,500 people, was a major challenge. Olmert initiated a pact where all involved would be investigated by the Shin Bet in case of a leak. Sensitive discussions were moved to his residence on Fridays, using a secure entrance to avoid detection.
Olmert also commented on the current situation, criticizing the Netanyahu government's handling of the October 7th events and the ongoing hostage crisis, attributing the failures to arrogance. He questioned the moral standing of those who released Hamas leader Sinwar and other terrorists in past deals, suggesting he would have prioritized hostage release even at the cost of a deal, followed by counter-terrorism operations.
