Israel’s former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen has revealed that Israeli intelligence has successfully infiltrated “every country you can think of” with so-called “manipulated equipment” in the supply chain—devices designed not only to explode but also to surveil and collect information on individual users.
In a rare interview, Cohen disclosed details about these covert operations while sharply criticizing Israel’s intelligence failures, particularly before the October 7 Hamas attack.
Speaking on The Brink podcast with British journalist Jack Wallis Simons, Cohen explained that the “manipulative equipment” method was developed between 2002 and 2004 and has since been deployed across the globe.
🚨Israel's ex-Mossad Chief brags they have spread "boobytrapped & manipulated equipment" like Hezbollah's pagers in "all countries you can imagine"
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) October 29, 2025
How is this rogue state behaviour so normalized & tolerated that this criminal admission of perfidy did NOT make a single headline! pic.twitter.com/mmKFtzcjeb
He said the technology was used in dramatic operations such as the “beeper” mission that struck Hezbollah and in multiple other countries to penetrate the supply chains of Israel’s adversaries.
“You know how much ‘treated’ equipment we have in those countries now? You can’t imagine—but I know,” Cohen said. “That’s an immense level of intelligence. I didn’t sleep for 38 years because of it. That’s what I did day and night, every single day, for more than 38 years, counting my military service.”
When asked which countries he was referring to, Cohen replied, “Every country you can think of.”
Cohen also raised eyebrows when he admitted Israel will “take out” anyone engaged in “verbal antisemitism” that Israel believes places their existence at risk.
Two quotes from a former Møssαd chief
— Phantom Pain (@phantompain1984) October 8, 2025
— on who’s an “existential threat” and what happens when they cross that line.
Charlie wasn’t just another pundit; he led America’s conservative youth — the last Zio₦ist pillar in the U.S.
So who defines “antisemite” now? 2/6 pic.twitter.com/fPbrTeL9jG
Cohen, who led Mossad from 2016 to 2021 and oversaw the high-profile theft of Iran’s nuclear archive, also criticized the Israeli intelligence community for failing to deploy the same advanced methods in Gaza prior to the October 7 assault.
“If we had that kind of equipment,” he said, “we would have known something about the coming attack.”
He expressed frustration that intelligence capabilities in Gaza were “poor” and said he personally requested responsibility for intelligence collection there but was blocked by the Shin Bet and Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN).
The former spymaster also turned his attention to the international information war, accusing Israel of “failing badly.” He cited figures showing a 54-to-1 ratio favoring pro-Palestinian content on platforms like TikTok and said Israel “didn’t even try” to respond.
Regarding Netanyahu himself, Cohen struck a mixed tone—describing him as “a smart man with many achievements,” but also as a leader whose “self-confidence borders on arrogance.” He noted the prime minister’s lack of empathy toward the public and weak chemistry with regional leaders, saying prolonged attachment to power “corrupts the soul and drains the spirit of those around him.”
Cohen concluded the interview by hinting at his own political ambitions, suggesting he may one day seek the office of prime minister despite reports that he recently ruled out running in the next elections.