Hack of Former Israeli Justice Minister’s Mobile Phone by “Handala” Hacker Group
WANA (Jan 03) – The hacker group known as Handala announced early Saturday that it had gained access to the mobile phone of Ayelet Shaked, Israel’s former justice minister, publishing several posts on its account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Alongside the announcement, the group released a collection of images and videos which it said were extracted from Shaked’s phone. According to the information provided, the materials include dozens of photos and several video files, some related to Shaked’s political activities and others to aspects of her personal life.
Handala later reported that it had also released a set of WhatsApp conversations attributed to Shaked. The group stated that these messages span a period of approximately ten years and demonstrate the depth of its access to the private and professional communications of senior Israeli officials.
Hack of Former Israeli Justice Minister’s Mobile Phone by “Handala” Hacker Group. Social media / WANA News Agency
In a statement accompanying the release, Handala said: “As promised, we are now publishing the full WhatsApp conversations of former minister Ayelet Shaked. This is not merely an issue of transparency, but a demonstration of our deep and extensive access to the highest levels of power. Our intelligence resources and capabilities go far beyond what you imagine, and nothing among senior officials remains hidden from our view.”
The statement continued in a warning tone: “The question now is whether there is still any doubt about our presence. Our influence is woven into the fabric of your reality, shaping perceptions and decisions even before you become aware of it. Our presence is closer and more powerful than you think.”
Hack of Former Israeli Justice Minister’s Mobile Phone by “Handala” Hacker Group. Social media / WANA News Agency
According to Handala, part of the published conversations relate to political and security developments during the 12-day war. The group stated that the messages indicate Shaked sought, through unofficial channels, to pursue plans for an attack against senior Iranian officials. In separate messages, Handala warned that any attempt to carry out such actions would result in serious and irreversible consequences.
Among the released materials are images showing Shaked in military attire, which are believed to date back to her period of military service. Handala also said it possesses dozens of additional videos, describing the disclosures as part of “a long-term campaign.”
In a further development, the hacker group announced that it had exposed the identities of 15 Israeli intelligence officers, stating that the move was part of its ongoing cyber operations targeting Israel’s security structures.
This is not the first time Handala has reported access to the mobile phones of Israeli officials. The group has previously announced intrusions involving Naftali Bennett, a former Israeli prime minister, and Tzachi Braverman, chief of staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli authorities have not yet issued an official response to the latest disclosures.
