Israel recovers Eli Cohen's spy archive from Syria after 60 years

In Israel, a remarkable operation was conducted to retrieve the personal effects of Eli Cohen, a famous Israeli spy who was executed in Syria. The significant recovery, which included approximately 2,500 items, marked 60 years since Cohen was hanged in Damascus on May 18, 1965. These items were closely guarded in Syrian intelligence safes since his capture during his mission in the early 1960s. Eli Cohen gained extraordinary access within Syria's political and military spheres, holding the position of adviser to the defense minister. His intelligence activities provided vital information that contributed to Israel's success in the 1967 Middle East War. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Cohen's accomplishments in espionage, referring to him as the greatest agent in Israeli history. The retrieved items included various documents, photographs, personal letters to his family in Israel, and items collected by Syrian authorities after his arrest. During the recent handover, Cohen's widow, Nadia Cohen, expressed her hope for the return of her husband’s remains, as Israel continues efforts to locate his body, which is still missing despite the return of another Israeli soldier’s remains from Syria just the previous week. The operation to recover Cohen’s archive is reflective of Israel’s ongoing commitment to honoring national heroes and underscores the historical significance of Cohen's espionage efforts. The actions taken by Mossad illustrate Israel's dedication to maintaining its intelligence legacy, while also striving to bring closure to Cohen’s family.