Ex-Mossad Chief: Israel Was Deterred Before Iran's 2024 Missile Attacks

Former Mossad chief David Barnea stated in a recent interview in Tel Aviv that Israel felt deterred before Iran's 2024 missile and drone attacks. This was due to uncertainty about Iran's long-range missile capabilities and the potential effectiveness of Israeli and American defense systems against them. Barnea revealed that Israeli pilots were not informed of their mission targets when summoned for the "Ascent of the Lion" operation last June, while many agents were aware of their military roles weeks in advance. He personally approved each agent, emphasizing the need for absolute trust and secrecy. Barnea also discussed the Mossad's operation to detonate explosive devices held by Hezbollah members. He explained that publishing a video with the Mossad logo on the morning of "Ascent of the Lion" was intended to protect agents in Iran by causing mass arrests, which he claimed led to the release of all agents. He asserted that 21,000 people were arrested in Iran on the second day of the operation, and that 99.9% of Mossad agents remain undetected. Barnea recounted being in the command room with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and then-Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during the Hezbollah operation, noting that hundreds of tests were conducted on dummies before the detonation. He also commented that the injuries sustained by Hezbollah members serve as a deterrent to those who would target Israeli citizens.