Iranian group claims it hacked former Israeli justice minister’s phone

The Iranian hacker group Handala claims it managed to steal data from former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked, leaking photos and videos apparently stolen from her WhatsApp account.

By World Israel News Staff

A group of anti-Israel Iranian hackers claimed over the weekend to have gained control over a cellphone used by former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked.

On Saturday, the Handala group leaked dozens of videos and photos that were apparently pulled from Shaked’s WhatsApp account.

“Once again, the cyber world has witnessed the true extent of our power! This time, our target was none other than Ayelet Shaked, the controversial figure and so-called security champion of the Zionist regime,” the group wrote on X.

“Her iPhone 15 Pro, supposedly the pinnacle of advanced technology and personal security, is now effortlessly at the mercy of Handala Hack.”

“For years, Shaked stood on podiums, preaching security, authority, and the fight against her enemies. But now, her messages, documents, and confidential information about Hamas, Iran, and behind-the-scenes decisions are in our hands. All the cover-ups and ‘security’ posturing have crumbled before our capabilities.”

A longtime political ally of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Shaked, 49, served as justice minister under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and as interior minister under Bennett, before losing her seat in the Knesset in the 2022 election.

In August, Israeli media reported that Israel’s Shin Bet security agency warned Shaked that her phone had been breached in June by Iranian hackers during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

“This is not a warning; it’s a cyber slap in the face for those who reduce security to mere slogans,” Handala said Saturday. “Ayelet Shaked, who once saw herself as the symbol of power and information control, now stands as a symbol of vulnerability and exposure.”

Last month, Handala leaked photos and videos allegedly taken from the phones of former Prime Minister Bennett and Tzachi Braverman, Netanyahu’s chief of staff.

Bennett downplayed the breach, acknowledging that data had been stolen but claimed the hack was limited to his Telegram account.

In their statement Saturday, Handala mocked Bennett’s claims, suggesting the group had gained access to the former prime minister’s device, not just his Telegram account.

“Are you once again preparing to appear on Channel 12 tonight and mislead the public by claiming that only Telegram has been compromised? It seems that, as always, you are trying to conceal the truth from the people by offering incomplete explanations.”