Iranian hackers claim phone breach of former Israeli PM

An Iranian hacker group claimed to have gained access to the mobile phone of former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, describing the alleged breach as part of what it called “Operation Octopus.”

The group, known as Handala, said it had hacked Bennett’s phone in a pointed reference to the former premier’s repeated calls over the years, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“You once prided yourself on being a leading light of cybersecurity and displayed your expertise to the world,” the group stated. “And even so, how ironic that your iPhone 13 fell so easily into the hands of Handala.”

Bennett responded by saying that “the matter is being handled by the relevant security and cyber authorities. The device is not currently in use.”

In further remarks directed at the former prime minister, the group referenced his rhetoric on Iran, writing: “You often spoke about the ‘octopus,’ painted it as your enemy, and imagined you could cut off its arms and be safe.”

“But today, on Handala’s birthday, know this: the octopus is not just watching, you are already caught in its grip,” the group threatened. “While you were pointing at the ‘arms of the octopus,’ the head was already inside your fortress, watching, recording and waiting for this very moment. For two years you lived with an illusion of control, with a fantasy of immunity.”

The hackers claimed they would expose material gathered from Bennett’s phone “during years of quiet vigilance,” and subsequently published photographs of him offering condolences to bereaved families after October 7, along with several names of contacts allegedly taken from his phone, as well as letters he purportedly received and sent.

Israeli security authorities are examining the claims. According to reports, the Shin Bet is investigating the incident, and there is no confirmation that Bennett’s phone was in fact compromised. It remains possible that a different device containing information related to the former prime minister—such as that of one of his aides—was hacked instead.

By Vafa Guliyeva