The Beretta 71/72 handgun, chambered in .22 LR, has become the weapon of choice for Mossad operatives, often fitted with a silencer for covert operations. This image of precision and secrecy aligns with Mossad’s motto: “Where there is no wise direction, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Following the tragic Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the loss of over 1,200 Israeli lives, Israel has engaged in extensive military and intelligence operations throughout the Middle East.
These operations, orchestrated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in conjunction with Mossad, encompass a wide array of tactics, including targeted assassinations, sabotage, and bombing campaigns. This intricate web of military action spans various locations such as Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Qatar, and Yemen.
Mossad, one of Israel’s three primary intelligence agencies, is renowned for its foreign intelligence collection and covert operations. With approximately 7,000 personnel and a budget of $3 billion, it ranks as the second-largest espionage agency in the West, just behind the CIA. Its effectiveness is augmented by the sayanim, volunteers of Jewish descent living abroad who assist with logistics, enabling substantial operations on a streamlined budget.
The agency’s history includes some of the most daring missions, notably the hunt for the perpetrators of the 1972 Munich massacre. An audacious example of its operational capabilities occurred in September 2024, known as Operation Grim Beeper. This operation saw the detonation of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies across Lebanon and Syria, claiming 42 lives and injuring over 4,000, including Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. This method of attack revealed a premeditated infiltration of Hezbollah’s supply chain, beginning as early as 2015 when Mossad planted booby-trapped devices.
After years of meticulously strategizing, Mossad had established front companies to sell these compromised devices to Hezbollah, ultimately leading to a synchronized assault that crippled the group’s communications and operations, instilling fear and chaos within its ranks.
Alongside its technological sabotage campaign, Israel also executed high-profile leadership strikes. For instance, in July 2024, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was eliminated in Tehran. This was followed by a rapid succession of airstrikes in which Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was killed, along with his successor just days later. The swift removal of both leaders heralded a destabilizing period for the organization, which was grappling with the fallout of these attacks.
From late 2023 to early 2025, Israeli military operations inflicted considerable damage across Lebanon. Over 10,000 structures were either damaged or destroyed, with many municipalities losing up to 70 percent of their infrastructure. Power and water systems were intentionally targeted to disrupt daily life, revealing the depths of Israel’s military strategy aimed at crippling its adversaries.
As the conflict continued, cross-border assaults soared, with Israel conducting 8,300 operations out of 10,200 total incidents. This resulted in mass displacements, affecting around 500,000 people in Lebanon and 96,000 in Israel, highlighting the human cost of an escalating conflict.
In Syria, the collapse of the Assad regime created fertile ground for armed groups. Israel’s airstrikes aimed at preventing hostile, Iran-backed factions from gaining traction, particularly targeting areas where Druze communities faced persecution. On July 16, 2025, attacks struck vital government locations in Damascus, sending a clear message to military leaders moving against beleaguered neighborhoods.
Yemen also emerged as a new battlefield. In August 2025, Israeli airstrikes targeted senior Houthi officials during a high-profile gathering, leading to significant casualties. This operation was executed with precision and underscored Israel’s capability to conduct real-time intelligence operations globally.
One of the conflict’s most significant escalations occurred during the Twelve-Day War with Iran in June 2025. Israel initiated Operation Rising Lion, deploying over 200 fighter jets to target key military installations across Iran. This operation successfully targeted and severely damaged critical sites responsible for uranium enrichment and military production. Among those killed were senior military officials, representing a major strategic blow to Iran’s defense capabilities.
The aftermath of these strikes revealed the effectiveness of Mossad’s operations, which included smuggling advanced weaponry into Iran and leveraging cutting-edge technology for precision assaults. The implementation of artificial intelligence systems ensured unprecedented coordination during this multi-domain offensive.
As Israel’s operations spread, even previously untouched Gulf states faced repercussions. On September 9, 2025, Israel struck targets in Qatar, marking a significant escalation in its military engagements. This attack targeted Hamas leaders during discussions regarding a ceasefire proposal, showcasing Israel’s willingness to act decisively within the diplomatic corridors of its adversaries.
Through a careful integration of destruction, leadership elimination, and innovative sabotage tactics, Israel has demonstrated its capability to conduct warfare across diverse domains—land, air, sea, cyber, and covert. This strategic approach has shown how Israel can not only combat immediate threats but also reshape the long-term dynamics in the region, significantly altering the landscape of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
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