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A Türkiye-based hacker group obtained the personal phone number of Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and conducted a video call attack that was recorded and shared on social media, Israeli media reported Thursday.
According to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth and news platform Ynetnews, the hackers not only acquired and publicly shared Katz's mobile number on social media platforms but also directly video-called the minister. Katz inadvertently answered the call, during which he was subjected to profanities and harsh messages that were recorded and subsequently circulated online.
The incident represents an escalation in cyber harassment tactics, as the hackers managed to catch Katz off guard when he mistakenly accepted the video call. Screenshots from the video conversation were distributed across social media platforms, amplifying the reach of the cyber attack.
Reports suggest that Katz's phone number has remained unchanged for years and had been previously shared among various groups, but this incident marked a significant escalation as the hackers moved beyond merely distributing contact information to conducting direct harassment.
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Following the attack, Katz was forced to shut down his phone. Israeli security officials noted that cyber attack attempts against security personnel have increased since "Operation Iron Swords," indicating a broader pattern of digital harassment targeting Israeli officials.
The incident comes as cybersecurity vulnerabilities faced by government officials grow, particularly regarding personal communication devices that may not have the same security protections as official government channels.
In a statement following the incident, Israel Katz acknowledged the ongoing harassment, saying, "Organized gangs from various countries around the world are calling my unclassified civilian phone and leaving hateful messages and threats."
Katz added, "As long as they continue to call and threaten, I will continue to order the elimination of their terrorist leaders." The defense minister's response suggests the cyber harassment campaign extends beyond this single incident, with multiple groups from various countries attempting similar attacks.
The cyber attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region and represents a new front in digital warfare tactics targeting high-ranking Israeli officials through personal communication channels.
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