Passing on in 2025, Aliza Magen, who helped track down terrorists in the 1972 Munich attack, became this agency’s top-ranking woman

The Final Jeopardy category for Thursday, October 9, 2025, was “World Organizations”, and the clue highlighted a significant figure in Israeli intelligence history: “Passing on in 2025, Aliza Magen, who helped track down terrorists in the 1972 Munich attack, became this agency’s top-ranking woman.”

What is Mossad?

Aliza Magen was one of the most influential women to ever serve in Israeli intelligence. Her career began in the 1960s, and over time she rose through the ranks of Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency, becoming its deputy director—the highest position ever held by a woman in the organization. Her name is often linked with key counterterrorism efforts during a period of heightened international tension.

Magen played a critical role in the intelligence aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where eleven Israeli athletes were murdered by the Palestinian group Black September. In the years following the attack, Israeli authorities carried out a global pursuit of those responsible, a covert campaign known as “Operation Wrath of God.” Magen’s work during this period contributed to the success of this operation, cementing her reputation within the agency.

The Role and Structure of Mossad

Mossad is Israel’s foreign intelligence service, widely considered one of the most effective intelligence organizations in the world. Founded in 1949, Mossad focuses on intelligence collection, counterterrorism, and covert operations, often operating beyond Israel’s borders. The agency is known for its precision and secrecy, and it answers directly to the Prime Minister of Israel.

Unlike agencies such as the CIA or MI6, Mossad has a unique structure, often relying on deep-cover operatives and human intelligence rather than technological surveillance alone. Mossad agents have been involved in a number of high-profile operations, including the capture of Adolf Eichmann in Argentina in 1960 and more recent missions targeting Iranian nuclear efforts. Aliza Magen’s career unfolded within this complex and high-stakes environment.

Munich 1972 and Operation Wrath of God

The Munich massacre was a pivotal moment in global sports and geopolitical history. On September 5, 1972, Palestinian militants infiltrated the Olympic Village, taking members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage. The rescue attempt ended in tragedy, with all eleven hostages killed. The incident shocked the world and marked a turning point in international awareness of terrorism.

Following the attack, Mossad launched Operation Wrath of God to pursue those involved. Aliza Magen contributed to this effort, helping direct intelligence-gathering and covert tracking of operatives abroad. While the specifics of her role remain classified, her influence on the success of several missions has been confirmed by former Mossad personnel.

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Sphere

Magen’s ascent to deputy director was not just a personal achievement but a landmark moment for women in intelligence services globally. For decades, Mossad had been dominated by men, particularly in field operations and leadership. Magen challenged these norms through skill, professionalism, and strategic insight.

Her leadership style reportedly emphasized discretion, collaboration, and long-term planning, qualities that earned her the trust of superiors and subordinates alike. She served under several Mossad directors and was often considered a potential candidate for the top post, although that position ultimately went to others during her tenure.

Remembering Aliza Magen in 2025

Aliza Magen passed away in 2025, prompting tributes from former intelligence colleagues and Israeli officials who recognized her contributions to national security and counterterrorism. Though much of her work remains classified, her influence continues to be felt through the operations she helped shape and the path she paved for future generations in Mossad.

Her legacy serves as a reminder of the often-unseen individuals who operate behind the scenes in global security efforts. For Jeopardy viewers, the October 9 clue offered not just a test of knowledge but a moment to reflect on a life devoted to service in one of the most secretive organizations in the world