Mossad Agent Who Drowned In Italy Was On ‘Anti-Iran Mission’: Haaretz

Mossad Agent Who Drowned In Italy Was On ‘Anti-Iran Mission’: Haaretz

The Israeli Mossad agent who died in a boat capsizing in northern Italy’s Lake Maggiore last Sunday (May 28) was there as part of “an operation against Iranian activity,” Haaretz newspaper revealed, citing a report by Hebrew media outlet Channel 12.

“The boat full of Israeli and Italian intelligence agents was actually a dinner celebrating the mission’s success,” Haaretz wrote. The dead agent “was working in the area as part of an operation targeting Iranian non-conventional weapons capabilities.”

The drownings took place on May 28. The boat reportedly capsized due to bad weather, with authorities investigating whether it may have been carrying too many people.

Israel initially only acknowledged that the man was a retired security forces member, and kept his identity secret. His role in the Mossad was soon made clear.

On June 1st, a former Israeli spy chief revealed in an interview that the man was “not there for vacation” but was instead on the job.

An Italian investigative report also revealed that across the lake where the incident happened was a “heavy” Russian presence, adding that the Italian and Israeli agents on board may have been monitoring drone-equipment deals between Iranian and Italian firms, potentially for the Ukraine war.

The report also reveals that Erez Shimoni, the name by which the agent was identified in media reports, is a “cover name given to the deceased.”

The incident remains mysterious. According to Israeli media, the funeral service was attended by Mossad chief David Barnea and a number of disguised spy officials. Footage of the funeral released in the media was blurred, and the deceased’s name was replaced with a code letter throughout the service.

The Haaretz report comes as suspicion has been building around the narratives that Israel attaches to the death of its soldiers and intelligence officials.

Just one day ago, three Israeli soldiers were killed in an operation carried out by an Egyptian officer on the border between Egypt and Israel. The killings were under heavy gag orders by Israeli authorities for hours before the details eventually emerged.

According to the report, the boat full of Israeli and Italian intelligence agents was actually a dinner celebrating the mission's success, ending in a tragic motorboat accident which saw Erez Shimoni – the cover name given to the deceased – die while trying to save other drowning passengers.

Shimoni was working in the area as part of an operation targeting Iranian non-conventional weapons capabilities.

On Wednesday, Israel reported that it was a former Mossad agent that died when the boat capsized in Lake Maggiore. "The Mossad lost a dear friend, a committed and professional employee who dedicated his life to the security of the State of Israel for decades, even after his retirement," read a statement from the Prime Minister's Office on behalf of the Mossad.

Two Italian intelligence agents and a Russian woman – part of the two-person crew – on the boat also died when the boat capsized in northern Italy. According to newspaper La Repubblica, ten more Israeli intelligence officers were also on board.

Following the capsizing of the boat, both the Israeli team and their Italian counterparts swam a short distance to reach the shore, where they were promptly rescued.

Public aviation records reveal the presence of an Israeli executive plane, typically employed for official missions by Israeli authorities, which departed from Israel on Monday morning. The aircraft took off from Milan, near the lake where the accident occurred, and returned to Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport late Monday afternoon.

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