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Netanyahu Appoints Military Secretary Roman Gofman as New Mossad Chief

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Major General Roman Gofman, his military secretary, as the next director of the Mossad intelligence agency. The appointment, approved by a senior committee, will see Gofman succeed David Barnea and begin a five-year term in July 2026. Netanyahu praised Gofman as a bold and creative officer who demonstrated resourcefulness during the ongoing war. Gofman, who was seriously wounded during the October 7 Hamas attack, previously authored a contentious document advocating for continued Israeli military control over Gaza.

Key Points: Netanyahu Names Maj Gen Roman Gofman as Next Mossad Director

  • Gofman appointed as Mossad chief
  • Succeeds David Barnea in 2026
  • Close associate of Netanyahu
  • Wounded in Oct 7 Hamas attack
  • Authored controversial Gaza policy
3 min read

Netanyahu appoints military secretary Maj Gen Gofman as new Mossad chief

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu appoints his military secretary, Maj Gen Roman Gofman, as the new Mossad chief, effective July 2026.

"outstanding officer--bold and creative - Benjamin Netanyahu"

Tel Aviv, April 13

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed his military secretary, Major General Roman Gofman, as the next Director of the Israeli Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, Mossad, following approval from the advisory committee on senior appointments.

In a post on X on Sunday, Netanyahu confirmed that he had signed off on Gofman's appointment after it was cleared by the committee chaired by retired Supreme Court President Asher Grunis.

Praising Gofman's credentials, Netanyahu described him as an "outstanding officer--bold and creative," adding that he had demonstrated "impressive resourcefulness" and an ability to think outside the box, particularly during the ongoing war.

"Major General Gofman has served as my military secretary for the past two years. He is an outstanding officer--bold and creative--who has demonstrated throughout the war a perspective outside the box and impressive resourcefulness. I wish Major General Gofman great success in his next role as Mossad chief, and I am confident that he will do much for Israel's security," Netanyahu stated in his post.

According to a separate statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Gofman is set to assume office on July 2, 2026, for a five-year term.

The appointment comes at a critical time for Israel's intelligence and security apparatus, with ongoing regional tensions and evolving security challenges.

According to the Times of Israel, Roman Gofman is set to succeed outgoing David Barnea, whose five-year term as head of Mossad is due to conclude in June.

Gofman is regarded as a close associate of Netanyahu, having served as his military secretary for nearly two years.

In that role, he reportedly travelled on behalf of the prime minister on various assignments and helped oversee the implementation of Netanyahu's directives within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as reported by the Times of Israel.

Born in Belarus, Gofman immigrated to Israel with his family in 1990 at the age of 14. He later rose through the ranks of the IDF Armoured Corps, eventually becoming a division commander before transitioning away from frontline combat roles.

During the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, he was serving as commander of the Tzeelim training base. He reportedly rushed to the Gaza border and was seriously wounded in a firefight with militants at Sha'ar Hanegev Junction near Sderot, Times of Israel reported.

Prior to becoming Netanyahu's military secretary in 2024, Gofman authored a controversial policy document recommending that Israel maintain military control over the Gaza Strip following the defeat of Hamas, a position that drew debate within policy circles.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
His personal story from immigrant to Mossad chief is remarkable. But appointing a close associate of the PM raises questions about institutional independence. We've seen in India how important it is for intelligence agencies to remain professional and not become extensions of political leadership. Hope for stability in the region 🙏
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Rahul R
The man was wounded fighting terrorists on Oct 7. That gives him serious credibility on security matters. Israel faces existential threats, much like India faces cross-border terrorism. We need strong, experienced people in such roles. Wishing him success.
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Sarah B
Reading about his controversial policy document is concerning. "Maintaining military control over Gaza" sounds like a recipe for perpetual conflict. As an observer from India, I believe lasting security comes from political solutions and normalcy for civilians, not just military dominance. A tough road ahead.
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Aman W
The timing is key – 2026. Gives him time to prepare. Mossad's work is crucial for global security, not just Israel's. With India's growing ties with Israel in defense and tech, having a predictable and capable point person there is good for our bilateral relations. 👍
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Nisha Z
Honestly, the whole situation is so tragic. More military appointments, more hardline policies. When will the cycle of violence end? My heart goes out to all the innocent people caught in the middle, just like civilians in any conflict zone. We need peacemakers, not just warriors.

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