Mossad's New Chief Dismisses Deputy Days Into His Tenure

What the official statement says

The Prime Minister's Office, speaking on behalf of the Mossad, confirmed that Gofman informed 'A' of his decision to end the deputy's tenure. The statement praised 'A' for 22 years of operational service across three operational divisions, two of which he commanded, and noted that he was awarded five Israel Security Prizes — among the highest distinctions available to intelligence officers. 'A' reportedly responded by wishing Gofman success and indicating he would remain available to the Mossad and the state as needed.

Who is 'A' and why does the dismissal matter

According to material reviewed by The Zioneer Intelligence Desk, 'A' was considered a leading internal candidate to succeed the previous Mossad chief, David Barnea — making him, in effect, the preferred heir of the outgoing leadership. He is reported to have led the Mossad's Iran portfolio and to have spearheaded efforts to establish a dedicated department focused on destabilizing the Iranian regime. Some reporting describes him as politically right-wing and close to former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen. Separately, reports circulating in Israeli media suggest he was known within the organization by the informal nickname 'the Bibist' — a colloquial term implying strong alignment with Prime Minister Netanyahu — and that he was allegedly involved in efforts to block Gofman's own appointment. These characterizations come from single sources and have not been independently verified; The Zioneer Intelligence Desk treats them as reported, not confirmed.

Gofman's path to the directorship

Gofman, a career military officer wounded during the October 7, 2023 attacks, was nominated by Prime Minister Netanyahu in December 2025 despite having no prior intelligence background — a departure from the agency's tradition of promoting career intelligence professionals. His appointment faced legal challenges that were ultimately rejected by Israel's High Court of Justice, clearing the way for his swearing-in ceremony on June 2, 2026, where Netanyahu publicly tasked him with helping to bring down the Iranian regime.

What remains unclear

The picture is still forming. The identity of 'A' has not been made public, consistent with standard Israeli practice for senior intelligence officials. No successor has been named. The precise reasons for the dismissal — whether primarily operational, political, or personal — have not been officially stated, and the competing accounts in circulation cannot all be accurate. Further developments are expected as Gofman continues to shape his leadership team.