Netanyahu Appoints Roman Gofman as New Mossad Director

Tel Aviv, MINA – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially appointed Major General Roman Gofman as the new Director of the Mossad intelligence agency, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday.

“After interviewing several candidates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to appoint Mayor’s Military Secretary Major General Roman Gofman as the Director of the Mossad,” the statement said, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

Gofman is set to replace current Mossad chief David Barnea, whose term expires in June 2026.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Gofman’s appointment, despite being an external figure with no prior service in the Mossad, suggests Netanyahu chose to bypass two senior candidates recommended by Barnea himself. The report described Gofman as someone with both a personal and professional closeness to the prime minister.

Political analysts in Israeli media note that the Mossad leadership role traditionally goes to insiders with careers rooted in covert intelligence work. Choosing a military commander from outside the agency is considered unusual and reflects Netanyahu’s increasing preference for loyalists in top security positions, especially amid heightened political tensions and continued military operations in Gaza and along the northern border.

Gofman began his military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Armored Corps in 1995. He went on to serve as:

Tank commander in the 188th Armored Brigade
Commander of the Etzion Regional Brigade in the West Bank (2015), during a period marked by intensified attacks
Commander of the 7th Armored Brigade (2017)
Commander of the 210th “Bashan” Regional Division (2020), overseeing Israel’s frontier with Syria

Since 2024, Gofman has served as Netanyahu’s Military Secretary, a role that involves accompanying the prime minister on international trips and ensuring IDF compliance with the prime minister’s directives.

Gofman’s record includes incidents that drew public scrutiny. Israeli media previously reported that he approved the deployment of a minor during a military operation—an action that could constitute a violation of Israeli military regulations.

In March, the IDF Military Advocate General requested that the Military Prosecution open an investigation into the case, focusing on long-term funding and command responsibility.

Gofman has claimed he was unaware that the individual was underage at the time of the operation.

The investigation remains ongoing, according to open-source Israeli legal reporting.

Gofman will assume leadership of the Mossad at a time when Israel faces complex challenges, including escalating regional tensions, ongoing operations in Gaza, and growing international scrutiny of Israeli intelligence activities.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)