Israeli spy Eli Cohen may have been buried near Damascus barracks, Syrian official claims

Eli Cohen, the legendary Israeli spy, may have been buried near military barracks outside Damascus, according to Syrian security officer Saeed Jawish. Cohen, also known as Kamel Amin Thabet, worked for Mossad under the guise of a wealthy Syrian businessman. His identity was exposed in January 1965 when Syrian counterintelligence intercepted his messages to Israel.

Cohen was subsequently arrested, tried, and publicly executed on May 18, 1965. Jawish, who participated in the operation leading to Cohen's arrest, revealed that his decision on where to bury the spy was heavily debated among five Syrian officers the night before his execution. One of the suggestions, according to Jawish, was to bury Cohen at the entrance of a military barracks with permanent security, as it would not require additional guarding.

The exact location remains unknown, with only one person reportedly present at the burial. Since Cohen's execution, Syria has refused to return his remains, which have reportedly been buried multiple times to thwart Israeli attempts to locate and recover them.