A pro-Palestinian hacker group called Handala has reportedly compromised emergency systems used in Israeli kindergartens, triggering rocket sirens and playing Arabic songs that Israel’s cyber agency linked to “terrorism.” The hackers claimed responsibility for breaching Maagar-Tec, an Israeli electronics company that manages panic button systems in schools. The attack impacted about 20 kindergartens and other educational institutions. Maagar-Tec responded by disconnecting the affected systems and began an investigation into the breach, while Israel’s National Cyber Directorate launched its own investigation in collaboration with the company and the Ministry of Education.
The hack resulted in the activation of emergency sirens, broadcasting songs and alarms designed to sow panic. Videos shared by Israeli local media showed the affected systems in action. The hackers allegedly wiped Maagar-Tec’s system after sending out the alerts. Israel’s cybersecurity agencies have confirmed their ongoing efforts to restore services and secure the systems that were compromised during the attack.
Handala also claimed to have sent intimidating text messages to tens of thousands of Israeli citizens. The messages were reported as non-malicious but aimed at spreading fear. Israeli authorities advised citizens to block the messages, which were sent after the hackers accessed Maagar-Tec’s database.
These activities form part of a broader series of cyberattacks attributed to Handala, which has previously targeted Israeli entities and institutions in an ongoing campaign of digital disruption.
In addition to the breach of school systems, Handala claimed responsibility for a more extensive attack on Israel’s National Security Ministry, alleging the theft of four terabytes of sensitive data, including communications and personal records. While these claims remain unverified by Israeli authorities, they highlight the group’s increasing activity and its sophisticated tactics. Handala is believed to have ties to Iran and has previously targeted Israeli military systems, including attempting to breach the Iron Dome radar systems and launching phishing campaigns designed to deploy wiper malware.
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