An Iranian-affiliated hacking collective named Handala claimed on Sunday that it had breached the smartphone of Tzachi Braverman, who serves as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chief of staff and is set to become Israel's ambassador to Britain. The group asserted it possessed sensitive information and threatened to disclose more details.
Handala posted on X that they had accessed files from Braverman's device, which allegedly included contacts, documents, images, and text exchanges involving prominent figures such as journalists, diplomats, and cabinet ministers. However, Israeli officials have yet to confirm the authenticity of these claims.
The Prime Minister's Office stated that no verified breach has been detected and that the situation is currently under investigation. This incident arises amidst escalating cyber tensions between Israel and Iran, characterized by ongoing allegations of hacking and digital espionage targeting high-ranking officials and government entities.