Despite his deep cover, Cohen’s identity was ultimately exposed. His downfall began when certain inconsistencies in his cover story began to surface, and a series of fortunate events led the Syrian authorities to suspect a mole within their government. In 1965, after several years of successful espionage, Cohen was arrested by the Syrian secret police. His capture was a devastating blow to Israeli intelligence. Cohen was tortured and eventually tried in a military court. Despite attempts by Israel to secure his release, he was sentenced to death and executed by hanging in May 1965.
The fallout from Cohen’s capture was enormous, both for Israel and for the Middle East as a whole. While Cohen’s espionage activities had provided Israel with crucial intelligence that played a direct role in its military successes during the Six-Day War, his death was a somber reminder of the high stakes involved in the world of espionage. Cohen’s legacy, however, lives on in the annals of Israeli intelligence history, and his story has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries.
Eliyahu Cohen’s life is a testament to the risks and sacrifices inherent in the world of espionage. His ability to infiltrate the highest echelons of the Syrian government, his bravery in gathering and transmitting vital intelligence, and his ultimate sacrifice for his country are all hallmarks of a figure whose impact resonates far beyond his tragic end. Today, Cohen is remembered not only as a hero in Israel but also as a symbol of the lengths to which individuals will go for their country in the world of intelligence and espionage.