Israel says its Mossad spy agency has recovered the wristwatch of Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy who became a national hero after he was executed by Syria five decades ago.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu�s office said Thursday the wristwatch was returned �in a special Mossad operation which took place recently.� It said the watch had been held by an �enemy state� and that agents confirmed its authenticity.

Mossad chief Yossi Cohen said the watch was part of the spy�s �fabricated Arab identity� and worn by him until the day he died. It is on display at Mossad headquarters and will be returned to Cohen�s family in the fall.

Cohen infiltrated Syria�s leadership in the early 1960s and obtained top-secret intelligence before he was caught and executed in 1965.

Syria has refused to return Cohen�s body to Israel.

(AP)