World News: Mossad Director David Barnea has long been known for his “gadget-loving killing machine” persona, even before Hezbollah accused him of injuring 3,000-4,000 of its operatives in September 2023. On September 17-18, thousands of Hezbollahs electronic devices, such as beepers and walkie-talkies, reportedly exploded, crippling the organizations communications and leading to further attacks by Israel.Who is Barnea and how is he crucial to MossadBarnea, who became Mossad chief in June 2021, is credited for orchestrating high-profile missions, such as the assassination of Iranian nuclear chief Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November 2020, using a sophisticated remote-controlled gun. The disruption of Hezbollahs devices likely facilitated Israels targeted strikes against Radwan special forces chief Ibrahim Aqil and his sub-commanders, who were forced to gather physically due to communication breakdowns.Focus on Irans nuclear programUnder Barneas leadership, Mossad has made significant strides in combating Irans nuclear ambitions. In 2023 alone, Barneas team thwarted over 50 Iran-sponsored terror attacks, including 27 incidents targeting Jews and Israelis globally. These efforts highlight his relentless focus on undermining Irans nuclear weapons program and its global terror operations. Mossads recent accomplishments include the abduction of Mansour Rasouli, a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who confessed to plotting against Jews in Turkey. Mossad has also been implicated in the deaths of high-ranking Iranian officials, including Sayyed Razi Mousavi and Mohammad Reza Zahedi.David Barnea is regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Israels intelligence community. His career in Mossad has been defined by bold, high-stakes operations. Barnea joined Mossad in 1996 and climbed the ranks, initially serving in covert operations and eventually heading the Tzomet department, which recruits foreign agents. Known for his innovative approach, he restructured Mossads resources to enhance its technological capabilities, making it more formidable in its fight against Israels adversaries. His primary mission remains thwarting Irans nuclear program and responding to global terror threats.
