Iran's Handala group targets Israel through cyber infiltration and disinformation tactics.
Iran’s cyber warfare group, Handala, has evolved from hacktivism to state-sponsored attacks, targeting Israeli officials’ personal devices to extract sensitive information and execute disinformation campaigns. Recent breaches, including access to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s computer and the manipulation of public address systems, have aimed to undermine Israeli public security and instill psychological fear. Handala’s branding, using a symbol of Palestinian resistance, provides a façade of legitimacy, complicating potential military responses from Israel and enabling Iran to exploit vulnerabilities while obscuring its involvement. This development underscores the growing significance of cyber operations as a potent tool in geopolitical conflicts, particularly in influencing public perception and political dynamics within Israel.
