Eli Cohen: New details emerge on the capture of the Israeli spy

New details have emerged regarding the capture and execution of Eli Cohen, one of Israel’s most prominent spies, 61 years after the event. In a series of interviews published by the Saudi-based Al Majalla, retired Syrian officer Said Caviş, who led the unit responsible for the operation, provided insights into the intelligence mission.

According to Caviş, Cohen was not immediately arrested after being identified. Instead, he was held under surveillance for six days at his apartment in Abu Rummaneh. During this time, Syrian intelligence used specific books and magazines brought from Beirut to attempt to decode Cohen’s communications. Caviş asserted that the operation was conducted entirely by his own unit, the ‘134 Radio Secret Service,’ and denied involvement from Soviet intelligence or the Indian Embassy.

The deception was ultimately uncovered during an interrogation by then-Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. After Cohen identified himself as a Syrian Muslim businessman named Kamil Amin Sabit, Assad requested that he recite the Fatiha Sura. Cohen’s inability to recite the prayer correctly led Assad to conclude he was Jewish. Caviş noted that he had opposed Cohen’s execution, believing the spy might have been more valuable for future intelligence exchanges, an objection that resulted in Caviş serving 89 days in prison.