In the early 1960s Mossad was not sure what to do about Skorzeny. There was originally a team developing a plan to kill the former Nazi commander but then they decided that he would be more beneficial to them alive. They believed that since he still had Nazi connections he could be useful in improving their ability to target Nazis who were providing military aid to Egypt. One source suggests that upon first contact Skorzeny agreed to work with Mossad if Simon Wiesenthal removed him from his list of wanted war criminals. Wiesenthal denied the request but Mossad agent Rafi Meidan managed to recruit Skorzeny anyway.
He began working for Mossad in 1962 when he underwent training and instruction at the organization’s facilities in Israel. After training he was put to work on one of the top priorities of Mossad: stopping German scientists from working on the Egyptian rocket program. They had already been bombarding the scientists with threatening calls and notes, some even received letter bombs. High on their list of targets was Heinz Krug, who despite being offered work in America, choose to work for Egypt instead. Mossad believed he took the position not only for the money but knowing that the missiles would likely be used on Israel.
Krug knew where the threats were coming from and that Mossad had already killed at least one other German scientist. He needed help before his time came and therefore he turned to Skorzeny who was a German war hero and considered by the allies to be the “most dangerous man in Europe.” When Skorzeny offered to protect him, Krug believed him. Skorzeny told Krug that he arranged for three body guards to follow them in a separate car while they rode to a safe location to talk. It was at the safe forest location that Krug was shot. The three bodyguards were really Israelis who poured acid over the body and then buried the remains in an already dug grave. A coating of lime ensured that dogs and animals would not be able to find the body.
Skorzeny would do more for Mossad, including mailing a letter bomb that would kill five Egyptian scientists at the missile site. He also provided names and addresses of any German scientists that were working for Israel and the names of any European companies that were providing military hardware to Egypt. He continued to provide assistance to Mossad until 1970 when a cancerous tumor was discovered on his spine.
The tumors were removed but he was left paralyzed from the waist down. He vowed that he would walk again and after six months of therapy he accomplished his goal. Just a few years later in 1975, lung cancer would claim his life. German veterans who attended his funeral, and had no idea of his dealings with Mossad, proudly gave him the one-armed Nazi salute.
To this day it is unclear why Skorzeny, who was once a proud Nazi, would agree to work for the Israelis in killing a fellow German. Some believe that it was an act of self-preservation, when he was first approached by Mossad he assumed that the agents were coming to kill him. By working with Mossad he ensured that their attempts on his life would stop. Others felt that he missed the action and adventure that came with the war and spent the rest of his life trying to get it back, Mossad offered him that chance. Despite working with Mossad in his later years he never denounced Nazism or the ideals he held throughout the war.