Mossad spy Yael Man passed away today (Sunday) at the age of 85, leaving behind a legendary career of gathering intelligence against the enemies of the State of Israel.
Much of Mann's work in the Mossad's service remained confidential, but her crucial participation in Operation Spring of Youth earned her world fame and a place in the history books of Israeli military espionage.
The intelligence she managed to obtain and her willingness to take risks and stay in the field to make sure the target was in place aided the success of the operation, in which one hundred PLO terrorists and three senior members of the movement were eliminated.
The scene of the assassination of one of the Fatah commanders in Beirut // Photo: Brigadier General Nir Maor The Immigration and Navy Museum,
Man was born in the United States in 1936 and immigrated to Israel in 1968. In 1971 she was drafted into an institution where she was trained in writing and using a hidden camera. She was sent to Syria and Lebanon where she used a cover story of a screenwriter writing a British social activist.
In 1973, it was used against Palestinian terrorist organizations in Lebanon.
The legendary spy documented the goals of Operation Spring of Youth in a detailed and high-quality manner using a hidden camera.
After the operation ended, she remained in Lebanon for a few more days in order that her cover story would not be discovered or endanger her and the other activists.
When she returned to Israel, she was received by the Prime Minister, size Meir, and received great respect.
IDF soldiers after Operation Spring of Youth // Photo: IDF website,
Mann served for 15 years at the institution and participated in other operations in Arab countries.
When she retired in 1986, she married her Hebrew teacher.
Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who commanded Operation Spring of Youth, paid tribute to Laman and wrote on his Twitter account: "Yael Mann has passed away. The woman of the Mossad. A walking legend of courage, composure and professionalism. "To eliminate the heads of the terrorists in the capitals. She was there while we were fighting to make sure that they were in their apartments and stayed in the area just so as not to leave any marks. Endless courage. May her memory be blessed."