Eliyahu (Eli) Cohen’s story is one of incredible bravery, sacrifice, and tragedy. Born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1924, Cohen became one of Israel’s most famous spies, whose intelligence work played a crucial role in the success of the Israeli military during the Six-Day War of 1967. His espionage operations in Syria, where he infiltrated high levels of the government, remain legendary. However, his success came at a high cost: in January 1965, after years of gathering invaluable intelligence, Cohen’s cover was blown, leading to his capture, a military trial, and ultimately his execution by the Syrian government. His story continues to captivate the world, symbolizing the high-stakes world of espionage, as well as the lengths to which individuals will go for their country.
Cohen’s covert mission began in 1961 when the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad tasked him with infiltrating Syria’s government. Operating under the false identity of Kamel Amin, a Syrian businessman returning from Argentina, Cohen quickly embedded himself in Damascus’s social and political circles. Over the next few years, he gained the trust of key figures within Syria’s military and government, providing Israel with invaluable intelligence, including the Syrian military’s defense plans and details on military infrastructure. His most significant achievement came when he was able to relay information about the Golan Heights and the multi-layered defense Syria was constructing, which ultimately helped Israel devise its strategy during the Six-Day War.
Despite his successes, Cohen’s operation was not without its dangers. In January 1965, the Syrian authorities, with the help of former Soviet forces and their advanced surveillance equipment, began to intensify their efforts to uncover foreign spies within their borders. Radio transmissions that Cohen made to Israel were intercepted, and using Soviet technology, his exact location was pinpointed. Cohen’s position as a high-ranking informant within the Syrian government was exposed, leading to his capture.