Maj Gen Roman Gofman Appointed Mossad Chief: Key Facts on Netanyahu’s Military Secretary and Rare Transition

Major General Roman Gofman has been appointed as the next Director of Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 5, 2025. Gofman is set to assume the role in June 2026, succeeding the current director, David Barnea.

This appointment is a rare and bold move as Gofman is primarily a career military officer without a traditional background in intelligence operations.

Maj Gen Roman Gofman Appointed Mossad Chief: Key Facts on Netanyahu’s Military Secretary and Rare Transition

Roman Gofman’s Background

• Origin: Born in Belarus in 1976, he immigrated to Israel in 1990.
• Military Service: He joined the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1995, rising through the ranks of the Armoured Corps.
• Key Role: He currently serves as the military secretary to Prime Minister Netanyahu, placing him at the core of Israel’s strategic decision-making process.
• Frontline Exposure: Gofman was seriously wounded during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, near Sderot.

Significance of the Appointment

• Break from Tradition: Historically, Mossad leaders have come from within the intelligence community. Gofman’s selection signals Netanyahu’s desire for a trusted, operationally seasoned figure to lead the agency.
• Security Context: Gofman’s leadership begins at a critical time of sustained tension with major regional threats like Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
• Operational Focus: His firsthand battlefield experience from the 2023 Hamas assault is expected to influence the retooling of Mossad’s priorities, particularly concerning early-warning systems and human intelligence (HUMINT).

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Question & Answer

Q1. Major General Roman Gofman has been appointed as the next director of which Israeli intelligence agency?
A) Shin Bet (Shabak)
B) Mossad
C) Aman (Military Intelligence)
D) Nitzan
Answer: B) Mossad

Q2. Roman Gofman is set to take charge of the Mossad in which month of 2026?
A) April
B) June
C) August
D) October
Answer: B) June

Q3. Before his appointment as Mossad Director, Gofman served as the military secretary to which Israeli official?
A) The President of Israel
B) The Defence Minister
C) The Chief of the General Staff (IDF)
D) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Answer: D) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Q4. Roman Gofman’s appointment is considered a rare shift because his career background is primarily in which field?
A) Diplomatic Service
B) Military (Armoured Corps)
C) Academic Research
D) Cyber Security
Answer: B) Military (Armoured Corps)

Q5. Gofman was injured during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, near which town/city?
A) Tel Aviv
B) Sderot
C) Haifa
D) Jerusalem
Answer: B) Sderot

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