A hacking group known as the Handala Hack Team claims to have compromised the personal phone of former Israeli army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, acquiring over 19,000 sensitive files. This incident, characterized as one of the most significant cyber breaches involving a high-ranking Israeli official, was announced on Thursday. The hackers assert that the files encompass confidential images and videos from crucial meetings, including those with Arab leaders.
The attack reportedly spanned several years, with the group stating they accessed information detailing Israel's top-secret facilities and command centers. Among the leaked materials are photographs of Halevi with former US Central Command chief Michael Kurilla in Qatar, as well as images from events in Jordan, where Halevi was seen honoring a fallen Jordanian soldier.
Halevi, who led Israeli forces in Gaza and resigned as army chief in March 2025, had been in position since January 2023. The timing of the meetings depicted in the leaked materials suggests they occurred between these two dates. The group further disclosed personal information about Halevi and his family, which they described as embarrassing.