Who was 'M.'? Mossad Operative Behind 'Op Roaring Lion' Against Iran Killed Outside Israel

Last Updated:April 22, 2026, 11:06 IST

While Mossad Director David Barnea did not reveal the identity of the agent, Israel's Channel 12 News broadcaster identified M. as a former Mossad operative. 

Who is ‘M.’? Amid the ongoing Iran war, curiosity has grown around the Mossad operative who reportedly paved the way for Israel’s “Operation Roaring Lion" and was killed during operations outside the country.

The agency’s director, David Barnea, referred to the operative as ‘M.’, during a Remembrance Day ceremony for Mossad’s fallen. Barnea stated that the missions led by ‘M.’ significantly influenced the campaign against Iran and credited him for combining “creativity, cunning, and advanced technology".

“During ‘Operation Roaring Lion,’ my thoughts and heart were filled with pride in the character and actions of M., who fell outside Israel while carrying out his duty," Barnea said.

“The operations led by M. combined creativity, cunning, and technology and significantly influenced the success of the campaign against Iran," he added.

Who Was ‘M.’?

While Mossad Director David Barnea did not reveal the identity of the agent, Israel’s Channel 12 News broadcaster identified M. as a former Mossad operative.

It was reported that the operative died after a tourist boat overturned on Lake Maggiore in northern Italy on May 28, 2023. Israeli media identified ‘M.’ as 50-year-old Erez Shimoni. When he died on 31st May, 2023, Israel’s Prime Minister’s office in a statement said that “due to his service in the organisation, it is impossible to elaborate" on his activities.

He was killed alongside two other members of Italian intelligence and the wife of the ship’s captain. He was buried in Ashkelon.

Notably, senior officials of Mossad attended his funeral wearing hats and face masks.

Barnea had described Shimoni as “a man of refined manners, a lover of humanity, kind-hearted, calm, and quiet", according to the Jerusalem Post.

The publication reported that he had served in the Mossad for 30 years.

Israel launched “Operation Roaring Lion" with the United States on February 28, 2026, against the Iranian regime. While Israel uses the codename “Roaring Lion" for the joint military strike, the US Department of Defence refers to the same campaign as Operation Epic Fury.

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