The Price of Experience
“Everything is written in blood”—this was the principle I grew up with from the moment I joined my military service in the Navy, serving in an elite unit comparable to the U.S. Navy SEALs. This principle continued to shape my perspective throughout my adult life as a covert and defensive operationalist.
Why in blood? Because every attack, every operational mission—regardless of its success—leads to an extensive process of learning and debriefing. Mistakes must be analyzed, and lessons must be drawn, whether to prevent future attacks or ensure that operations succeed without casualties. This process is not just personal; it is crucial on a national level for those who dedicate their lives to protecting their country.
Tragedy in Buenos Aires: The Israeli Embassy Attack
Two major terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires, Argentina, serve as painful reminders of these lessons.
The first attack occurred on March 17, 1992, at 2:50 p.m. A suicide bomber drove a car packed with explosives to the Israeli embassy at 910 Arroyo Street and detonated it, causing massive destruction.
The explosion killed 29 people, including four Israeli Foreign Ministry employees and four Jewish women from Argentina. Over 220 people were injured, and entire wings of the historic four-story embassy building collapsed.
A Mossad investigation later revealed that the attacks on the Israeli embassy and the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires during the 1990s were carried out by Hezbollah operatives. The explosives were smuggled into Argentina from Europe using commercial flights, concealed in shampoo bottles and chocolate boxes. Hezbollah members on the ground, assisted by local contacts, executed the operation.
It was further uncovered that some of those involved in the attack are still living in Lebanon. Today, it is widely accepted that Hezbollah, as an Iranian proxy, was responsible for these heinous acts, working alongside Iranian agents.
A Second Attack: The Jewish Community Center Bombing
Two years later, another devastating attack took place. On July 18, 1994, a powerful bomb destroyed the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, killing 86 people and injuring hundreds more.
Despite extensive evidence, the investigation into these attacks was marred by corruption and political interference. Suspicions arose that then-President Carlos Menem had attempted to obstruct justice.
Only decades later, on April 12, 2024, an Argentine federal court officially ruled that Iran had planned the attacks, while Hezbollah had executed them on Iran’s behalf. The court declared these acts crimes against humanity and urged the Argentine government to file a formal complaint against Iran at the International Court of Justice.
