Israel’s ex-spy chief Meir Dagan dies at 71
Meir Dagan, a former Israeli general and long-time director of its spy agency, has died at the age of 71.
Mr Dagan directed Mossad from 2002 to 2011. Under his leadership, the agency reportedly carried out covert attacks against Iranian nuclear scientists and unleashed cyber-attacks, including the Stuxnet virus which delayed the Iranian nuclear programme.
After he stepped down, he was also a fierce opponent of a military strike in Iran. He openly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to the recently implemented nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
Born in 1945 in Ukraine to Holocaust survivors, Mr Dagan reached the rank of general in the Israeli army and was known for innovations in battling terrorism.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
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