Yitzhak Hofi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yitzhak Hofi |
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| Allegiance | State of Israel  |
| Service | Haganah, Palmach, Israel Defense Forces, Mossad |
| Active | 1944–1948 (Haganah and Palmach) 1948–1974 (IDF) 1974–1982 (Mossad) |
| Rank | Aluf |
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| Born | 25 January 1927 Tel Aviv, Palestine |
| Died | 15 September 2014 (aged 87) Ramat Gan, Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Occupation | Director of Mossad |
Yitzhak Hofi (Hebrew: יצחק חופי; born January 25, 1927 – died September 15, 2014) was an important military leader and intelligence chief in Israel. He was a member of the Palmach, a general in the Israeli Army, and later led the Mossad, Israel's main intelligence agency.
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Early Life and Military Career
Yitzhak Hofi was born in Tel Aviv, a major city in what was then called Palestine. He joined the Haganah in 1944. The Haganah was a Jewish defense group before Israel became a country.
When Israel became a state in 1948, Hofi fought in the Arab-Israeli War. He led a company of soldiers during this conflict. After the war, he continued to serve in the Israeli Army. He held many different important jobs, including command, staff, and training roles.
Leading the Northern Command
During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Yitzhak Hofi was in charge of the Northern Command of the Israeli Army. This meant he was responsible for military operations in the northern part of Israel. For a short time in 1974, he was the Acting Chief of Staff, which is like being the temporary head of the entire army.
Director of the Mossad
After leaving the army in 1974, Yitzhak Hofi became the director of the Mossad. The Mossad is Israel's national intelligence agency, similar to the CIA in the United States. Its job is to gather information and carry out secret missions to protect Israel.
Operation Entebbe
One of the most famous events during Hofi's time as Mossad director was Operation Entebbe in July 1976. An Air France plane with many Israeli passengers was hijacked and flown to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda.
Hofi strongly believed a rescue mission was needed to save the hostages. He sent Mossad agents to gather information about the airport. He also used his connections with intelligence officials in Kenya to arrange for Israeli planes to refuel in Nairobi on their way back. This helped the daring rescue mission succeed.
Other Key Operations
Under Hofi's leadership, the Mossad carried out other important missions. One was Operation Opera, a surprise attack by Israel on Iraq's nuclear reactor in Osirak. This mission aimed to prevent Iraq from developing nuclear weapons. The Mossad also worked to stop dangerous terrorists who threatened Israel.
Later Years
Yitzhak Hofi retired from the Mossad in 1982. After that, he became the director of the Israel Electric Corporation, which provides electricity to Israel. He held this position until 1990.
Hofi passed away on September 15, 2014, at the age of 87.
See also
In Spanish: Yitzhak Hofi para niños
