A legendary agent with Israel's Mossad who commanded hundreds of covert missions in two decades of service was killed Monday in a biking accident, local media reported Tuesday.

Giora Tzahor, 70, was critically wounded Monday when hit by a truck while cycling near his home north of Tel Aviv, and died hours later, the Yediot Aharonot daily said.

Prior to joining Mossad, Tzahor received one of the highest decorations awarded by the Israeli military.

He volunteered for service with Mossad six years later and was assigned to Caesarea, the agency's elite special operations division, following the completion of his training.

The Israeli Defense Ministry banned the media from publishing Tzahor's photograph despite the fact that he had retired from Mossad in 1993.