Israel's former Mossad head, Meir Dagan, dies at 71

Meir Dagan, the former head of the Israeli Mossad, died on Thursday morning at the age of 71, the Israeli spy agency said in a statement.

Dagan was the 10th serving director of the Mossad, between 2002 and 2011, who had suffered from health issues in recent years and undergone a liver transplant in 2012.

The Mossad described Dagan as a distinguished member of the Israeli establishment community revered by many both at home and abroad.

Dagan became a staunch critic of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, specifically over the issue of Iran.

He had leveled harsh criticism against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Ehud Barak back in 2012 and 2013 for alluding to possible Israeli military airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Dagan also decried the Israeli policies toward the Palestinians, stating his fear that Israel would become an "apartheid" state.

Dagan was born in Ukraine in 1945 to holocaust survivors. He moved with his family to Israel, and joined Israeli army in 1963 as a paratrooper. He had fought all of the major Israeli wars, and was known to be in charge of some daring operations.

According to international media reports, during Dagan's tenure as Mossad chief, the spy agency carried out assassinations abroad of top Hamas and Hezbollah operatives.

Israel's current and former leaders, politicians and other public figures expressed their sorrow on Thursday over Dagan's death.

Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen said the agency was in "deep sadness" over Dagan's passing.

Netanyahu expressed his "deep sorrow."

"Meir was a brave warrior and commander who contributed much to Israel's security," Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office.

"In the eight years he headed the Mossad, it undertook bold operations that broke ground and barriers," Netanyahu said.

Israel's President Reuven Rivlin, who issued a statement from Moscow, said Dagan was "deeply dedicated to Israel" and that he had done "everything in his power in favor of ensuring the survival of future generations."

Former President Shimon Peres said many in Israel are alive "thanks to huge giants such as Meir Dagan." Endit