Former Israeli PM’s phone hacked by Iranian group – report

Group of hackers working on behalf of Iran claim to have cracked former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s personal cellular device, accessing sensitive documents and personal communications.

By World Israel News Staff

A group of pro-Iranian hackers managed to gain remote access to former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s personal cellular device, the group claimed on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Handala group, whose name is borrowed from a symbol of Palestinian rejectionism of Israel’s existence, said they managed to “easily” hack into Bennett’s iPhone 13 device.

The digital infiltration was dubbed “Operation Octopus,” apparently in reference to Bennett’s past references to Iran as the “head of the octopus” of the anti-Israel coalition in the Middle East.

“You once prided yourself on being a leading light of cybersecurity, and displayed your expertise to the world,” Handala said in its statement, seemingly referencing the former premier’s Bennett’s previous career as a cybersecurity company executive.

“And even so, how ironic that your iPhone 13 fell so easily into the hands of Handala,” the group added.

“Despite all of your pride and boasting, your digital fortress is nothing more than a paper wall waiting to be broken.”

Alongside their statement, Handala released documents and images it claims were obtained from Bennett’s phone, including a contact list with the names of Israeli officials, sensitive documents, personal photographs, and other materials.

The alleged documents exposed in the leak include drafts of memos and letters, along with leaks apparently obtained by Bennett from the Netanyahu government, including information on dissent within the coalition.

Bennett, Israel’s second-shortest serving prime minister, left office in June 2022, departing from politics ahead of the elections for the 25th Knesset.

Since then, Bennett has signaled his plans to return to politics, with an anticipated Knesset bid in next year’s general election.

To that end, Bennett has registered a new political party, under the interim name of Bennett 2026.

Polling data suggests that if new elections were held today, Bennett’s new party would become either the largest or the second largest in the Knesset, potentially positioning him to return to the premiership.