Iranian Hacker Group Targets Israel’s Emergency Systems, Sends Threatening Messages

On Sunday morning, Israel experienced a cybersecurity attack claimed by the Iranian hacker group Handala. The hackers breached Maager-Tec’s emergency systems, which are responsible for emergency button interfaces at schools and other institutions across Israel. The attack disrupted 20 kindergartens, causing chaos as the hackers played rocket sirens, Arabic messages, and songs supporting terrorism through the systems.

In addition to this alarming breach, Handala hackers also targeted Israeli citizens by sending tens of thousands of threatening text messages. While the National Cyber Directorate assured that the messages were not harmful and posed no risk to mobile devices, they advised recipients to block and delete the messages. The hacker group mockingly responded to the advice on social media, further escalating the tension.

Handala also claimed to have infiltrated the Israeli national security ministry systems and stolen sensitive information regarding Israeli police officers. However, both the ministry and the National Cyber Directorate reported that their systems showed no unusual activity. Despite these claims, the hacker group remains defiant, having previously posted a video teasing their operations, including an emblem reading “HANDALA ON THE WAY” followed by a message: "WHO WILL WIN?"

Handala, named after a cartoon symbol of Palestinian resistance, was originally created in 1969 by Naji al-Ali. The symbol has since been adopted by various movements, including the 2009 Iranian Green Movement, which protested the Iranian regime. The group’s activities reflect ongoing cyberattacks and efforts to destabilize Israel, with Handala continuing to be an important symbol of defiance in certain circles.

Meanwhile, Israel's internal security services have been working to counteract the growing threat. In a separate but related development, Israeli authorities arrested two Israeli citizens suspected of acting as operatives for Iran. The suspects, Yuri Eliaspov and Georgy Andreev, were reportedly recruited by an Iranian operative to carry out espionage activities, including spraying graffiti with anti-Israel messages and assisting with other covert operations in exchange for financial compensation. The Shin Bet and Israel Police have issued warnings to Israeli citizens, urging them to avoid any contact with foreign operatives offering suspicious tasks.

As this cyberattack and the broader security issues unfold, Israeli authorities are on high alert, continuing to strengthen their defenses against external and internal threats. The public is also urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, particularly on social media, to the relevant security agencies.