Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed his military secretary, Major General Roman Gofman, as the next head of the Mossad intelligence agency. An advisory committee for senior appointments approved Gofman's candidacy on Sunday, clearing the way for his appointment to begin June 2, 2026.
The 49-year-old general will replace David Barnea, who has led Israel's premier intelligence service since 2021. Gofman's appointment marks the final piece in Netanyahu's comprehensive overhaul of Israel's security establishment following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
Following the committee's approval, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the appointment letter for the next Mossad chief, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, who will assume his position on June 2, 2026, for a term of five years
Netanyahu's office — Yedioth Ahronoth
Born in Belarus in 1976, Gofman immigrated to Israel at age 14 following the Soviet Union's collapse. He built his military career in armored units, serving as a tank commander across multiple fronts and leading the 7th Armored Brigade before becoming Netanyahu's military secretary in April 2024.
Gofman's defining moment came during the October 7 attacks. When Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israel, he left his home in Ashdod and joined volunteer police forces at the Sha'ar HaNegev junction, where he was severely wounded while fighting the attackers. Netanyahu has described him as the highest-ranking officer who rushed to the battlefield that day.
Presents the appointment as a procedural development, emphasizing the committee approval process and Gofman's military credentials. Frames the story within standard governmental transition protocols rather than highlighting political implications.