Mossad Retrieves Wristwatch of Legendary 1960s Israeli Spy Eli Cohen

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says its Mossad spy agency has recovered the wristwatch of Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy who became a national hero after he was executed by Syria five decades ago.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Thursday the wristwatch was returned “in a special Mossad operation which took place recently.” It said the watch had been held by an “enemy state” and that agents confirmed its authenticity.

Mossad chief Yossi Cohen said the watch was part of the spy’s “fabricated Arab identity” and worn by him until the day he died. It is on display at Mossad headquarters and will be returned to Cohen’s family in the fall.

Cohen infiltrated Syria’s leadership in the early 1960s and obtained top-secret intelligence before he was caught and executed in 1965.

Syria has refused to return Cohen’s body to Israel.