Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed major general Roman Gofman, a senior military officer without an intelligence background, as the next director of the Mossad. Gofman, who will succeed David Barnea when his term ends in June 2026, is known for his close ties to Netanyahu and his recent role as the prime minister's military secretary during the ongoing conflict. Born in Belarus and having moved to Israel as a teenager, Gofman has held several key military positions, including commander of the division overseeing the Syrian border and the national infantry training centre. His appointment marks another instance of Netanyahu selecting a figure aligned with his nationalist outlook for a top security role, following the recent naming of David Zini to head the Shin Bet domestic security agency. Gofman's military career has included both commendations and controversy, notably his involvement in a criticized intelligence-sharing arrangement for a social media campaign. Despite lacking direct experience within the Mossad, Netanyahu praised Gofman's professional capabilities and close cooperation with intelligence agencies.