The group, which published materials from the phone of Tzachi Braverman, a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday morning, has become one of the most prominent players in cyber attacks against Israel in recent months.

According to Franco, "Most of its mission is to damage public trust, create a sense of penetration, and amplify media resonance, sometimes by inflating achievements." However, he emphasizes that "its activity sometimes integrates into a broader campaign, including ideological and sometimes infrastructural overlap with state actors or regional proxies."

According to reports from intelligence agencies and cybersecurity companies, the group is affiliated with an Iranian unit connected to the Ministry of Intelligence and specializes in cyberattacks for influence operations. Its name is derived from the comic character of the same name that has become a Palestinian symbol representing the Palestinian "refugee" issue. The group calls itself "The Popular Resistance Front of People Seeking Justice" and has been active since at least December 2023, about two months after the outbreak of the Iron Swords war.

From Bennett to nuclear scientists

Handala's target list includes senior politicians, security officials, and Israeli civilians. About 10 days ago, the group claimed it had breached former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's Telegram account and published personal correspondence, contact lists, and photos. Bennett eventually admitted that "access to the Telegram account was obtained," but emphasized that the phone device itself was not breached.

About three weeks ago, the group published documentation of a red flower bouquet that, according to its claim, was left in the vehicle of a senior Israeli nuclear scientist. "Yesterday, you received our flower bouquet. It's an apparently harmless object, but did you notice its weight?" the threatening message read. Alongside the documentation, a list of names and phone numbers was published that allegedly belongs to members of Unit 8200.

In addition, Handala published the names and detailed profiles of 14 individuals who, according to the group, serve as key figures in planning and developing drone systems in the IDF and defense industries, and attached a monetary "reward" of $30,000 to each.

The group's activity focuses on attacks against Israeli companies, government offices, and public bodies. Among the prominent cases: the leak of details on many Israelis carrying licensed weapons in early February 2025, and the claim in September 2024 of a breach of servers related to the Nahal Sorek nuclear facility, in which the hackers claimed they had obtained approximately 197 gigabytes of data.

Clear Iranian affiliation

According to a position paper by the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, the Handala group is affiliated with an Iranian unit connected to the Ministry of Intelligence. The cybersecurity company Cyberint pointed to a post from December 2023 in which Handala expressed support for Hamas and wrote that it began operating against Israel after the assassination of Revolutionary Guards commander Mousavi.

In 2024, Microsoft published reports unequivocally attributing the group to the Iranian attack group Storm-0842, which is connected to the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and also responsible for activity under the identities "DarkBit" and "Homeland Justice."

Exploitation of human weaknesses

"Its main operation relies on unsecured breaches, information leaks, and targeted dissemination of materials on social networks," Franco explains. According to him, Handala is characterized by a low to medium level of technological sophistication, but by intensive activity and high focus on creating public and media effect.

Franco emphasizes: "The threat is not measured only by the direct technological damage, but by the ability to exploit human and organizational weaknesses, and to turn isolated cyber incidents into a tool in an ongoing consciousness war against Israel."

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The suspect, Vadim Kupriyanov, an Israeli citizen in his 40s and a resident of Rishon Lezion, was detained by the Shin Bet security agency and Israel Police. Investigators said Kupriyanov was instructed by his handlers to purchase a car-mounted camera as part of the mission.

According to the investigation, over the past two months Kupriyanov was asked to carry out a range of security-related tasks. At the request of those directing him, he transferred various photographs taken in his city of residence and in other cities, in exchange for different sums of money.

On Thursday, following the conclusion of the investigation, an indictment will be filed against Kupriyanov at the Lod District Court by the Central District Attorney's Office.

Bennett responded in a post on his Instagram account, writing: "Iran's efforts to harm me will not stop me from my life's mission."

Bennett in Iran's crosshairs

Last week, an Iranian cyber group hacked into Bennett's smartphone and published a 141-page phone book that it claimed was taken from Bennett's personal device. Shortly afterward, the group released portions of private correspondence he had conducted over the years.

The hackers mocked the former prime minister in a message addressed to him, saying that despite his past claims of being a beacon of cybersecurity and presenting his expertise to the world, it was ironic that his iPhone 13 had fallen so easily into their hands. They derided what they described as his digital fortress as nothing more than a paper wall waiting to be breached.

Bennett later said the matter was being handled by the authorities, adding that Israel's enemies would do everything possible to prevent him from becoming prime minister again. "It won't help them," he said. "No one will stop me from acting and fighting for the State of Israel and the people of Israel."

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To substantiate its claim, the group released several files, photos, and documents allegedly verifying the breach under the title "Operation Octopus".

Following an inquiry by Israel Hayom, Bennett's office initially stated that he was "unaware of such an event." However, after political commentator Amit Segal reported that the phone had indeed been breached, Bennett's team rushed to issue a statement clarifying that the matter was being handled by relevant security and cyber officials and that the device in question is not currently in use.

Bennett did not stop there and issued yet another clarification, suggesting it is possible the phone was not breached at all. Amid the confusion, Israel Hayom contacted Shai Nahum, CEO of the tech firm CYGHT and a cyber warfare expert.

"According to forensic analysis of the leaked files, there is a high probability that this is not Bennett's phone, but apparently that of one of his associates," Nahum said.

He noted that the leaked photos and video clips had been processed by editing software known as Handbrake, "most likely to change the video format and edit various data points, including metadata."

Nahum added that an analysis of the leaked contact list indicates it does not belong to Bennett himself, but rather to someone likely close to him. For example, contacts are saved under names such as "Bennett's Minister," "Revital Bennett Comms," and even "Naftali Bennett."

"It appears there is an attempt here to portray Bennett as weak, as someone who does not know how to deal with cyber threats or analyze risks properly," Nahum emphasized. "It is understood that this is a group with political and regional interests operating under Iranian sponsorship."

"Sophistication level has risen"

Itay Schwartz, co-founder and CTO of the cyber company MIND, added: "Even before asking if Bennett's phone was truly hacked, one must understand what this event signals: The level of sophistication of cyberattacks in our region has risen dramatically. In recent years, we see actors like Hezbollah and Iran improving capabilities, after the Syrian Army's cyber unit also operated here for years. The enemy is simply improving.

"From the details published, it seems this is an old device that was not updated – exactly the type of weakness attackers know how to exploit. But it is important to emphasize: Even if there was a hack here, it does not mean the hackers received full access to all information. The moment an attacker enters a personal device, he can try to spread to additional assets, because everything is connected, but there is no certainty he succeeded," he added.

"The central lesson is that information security no longer stops at the device itself. A single civilian device today holds huge amounts of sensitive, personal, and sometimes classified information. To prevent such events, one needs not only to protect the phone – but to detect early when information starts moving to a place it shouldn't reach," Schwartz concluded.

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President Isaac Herzog received word of the terror attack at the Chabad House Hanukkah event in Australia while presiding over the Aliyah and Integration Ministry Prize ceremony for trailblazing immigrants. The president halted the proceedings to address the audience. "At this very hour, our brothers and sisters in Sydney, Australia, are under a terror attack during the lighting of the Hanukkah candle at a Chabad event at Bondi Beach," he said.

"Many Jews who came to light the first candle of Hanukkah in one of the most magnificent communities in the world were attacked by criminal terrorists," Herzog said.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was unsparing in his criticism. "The writing was on the wall. The Australian government bears responsibility," Bennett said. "A festive Jewish gathering turned into a scene of terror. A short time ago I spoke with leaders of the Jewish community. They are furious and afraid. For months, they have warned against a rise in antisemitism."

"The writing was on the wall and it was met with a blind eye from the government," Bennett added. "I demand that the Australian government act immediately to protect the Jewish communities and deal with antisemitism with full severity. Jews should not have to fear for their lives anywhere, including in Australia. I send my condolences to the families of the killed and pray for the well-being of the wounded. Your pain is our pain."

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar posted on X, "I'm appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia. These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of 'Globalize the Intifada' that were realized today. The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses!"

Education Minister Yoav Kisch also linked the violence to policy. "I am deeply shocked by the severe antisemitic attack in Australia," Kisch said. "As a Jew, the heart breaks in the face of the stories and documentation from the murderous event. The decision of the Australian government to recognize a Palestinian state sent a terrible message, the results of which we unfortunately see today. The State of Israel embraces and will support the Jewish community in Sydney in the most difficult moments."

Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat said, "The Australian government failed to eradicate antisemitism and the hatred of Jews in its country."

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https://t.co/l86238C0yh

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) November 21, 2025

The article also raised the conspiracy theory that Epstein was a Mossad agent, a claim that Israel has previously firmly denied. American commentator Megyn Kelly shared Netanyahu's tweet and wrote: "So I guess it's not antisemitic to ask if Epstein as an asset for Israeli intel and we shouldn't just take Ehud Barak's words for it that he wasn't."

Netanyahu's tweet, which has already garnered over 4 million views, reached the author of the article he shared: Branko Marcetic. Marcetic used Netanyahu's action as a supposed confirmation that Israel is committing genocide against children "on a world historical scale." The magazine Jacobin did not ignore this either and wrote: "While you're perusing our magazine in between ordering genocidal war crimes, Mr. Netanyahu, you might be interested in this piece by the same author." The headline of the article the magazine shared was: "Israel's Gaza war is one of history's worst crimes."

Mr. Netanyahu is sharing my work presumably to let everyone know he's not a child molester - just a child killer, on a world historical scale. https://t.co/DuFLQCDSzN pic.twitter.com/9fzC8Zsq16

— Branko Marcetic (@BMarchetich) November 21, 2025

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tweeted against Netanyahu's move and responded similarly to Netanyahu's reaction to the actions of the IDF: "Sharing by the head of the Israeli government constitutes a huge boost and legitimization for a magazine full of accusations against Israel of genocide, apartheid, and war crimes. Israel's enemies, including the magazine itself, are already celebrating this as proof of the false conspiracies against Israel."

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"I think right now it's almost impossible," said Alghashian, a researcher of Saudi foreign policy, in an interview with Israel Hayom. "First of all, Netanyahu has made relations with Israel and his government too toxic. Saudi public opinion has a very negative perception regarding normalization, and in effect Saudi Arabia is distancing itself from normalization. Second, the things Saudi Arabia wants from the US are achievable in stages. It can achieve a defense alliance because that doesn't require Congressional approval."

Beyond that, Alghashian noted that since Israel's strike in Qatar, its perception in Saudi Arabia has become particularly negative. "I think many people are trying to raise speculation out of wishful thinking or even as part of a certain practice. It has become the norm to raise speculation about normalization. It seems as if nothing else is happening in the region besides this. There is a situation of ethnic cleansing in Sudan, but people mainly talk about Saudi Arabia and Israel."

Factors are in motion

According to him, there are too many factors related to normalization that "are in motion" – like the elections in Israel, the conduct of the administration in the US, and even potential elections in the Palestinian Authority – so it's doubtful whether Saudi Arabia will even consider such a move.

When asked by Israel Hayom why Saudi Arabia views the strike against Hamas leaders in Qatar as something negative, he replied: "It's not necessarily related to Hamas. There isn't much love for Hamas in Saudi Arabia, it must be said. What the Saudis were furious about is that the talks (regarding a ceasefire agreement and hostage deal) were held in Qatar because that's what the Americans wanted for this mediation. Netanyahu and his people appreciated the fact that Qatar was mediating and serving as a channel of communication. From the Saudi point of view, the reason for the fury is the fact that the Qataris hosted the mediation efforts and Netanyahu attacked Doha.

"Another reason is that right now it seems Israel reaches anywhere it wants in the Middle East. It shows that, and it doesn't hide it. That's another reason why Saudi Arabia is not interested in normalizing its relations with Israel right now. Any discussion about normalization now will appear as if it's being conducted from a position of weakness on Saudi Arabia's part, or that it's being pushed into normalization forcibly. That's something that would be considered political suicide, to be honest. There's also a question regarding relations with the US. There is a lack of trust because the Americans are not willing to restrain Netanyahu."

Different government

Given that there will be a different government in Israel, will this development advance normalization, or is it more complicated?

"In my opinion, if such a government could bring something to the Palestinian issue, then it could happen, but it's more complicated than that. Theoretically, it's not enough, as I think a significant move is needed to be convincing to both parties. First of all, for the Saudi public opinion. Right now, Saudi public opinion must be taken into account. For a long time, they say 'Palestinian state.'

"Therefore, anything less than a state will need to be significant enough. Another matter is that the Palestinian Authority also needs to be convinced by this move. That the Palestinian Authority will say 'yes, this is good enough.' Lapid, Eisenkot, and even Bennett can get there, but these are the conditions. And this doesn't include the American component. The Saudi public knows much more about the dynamics of the occupation and the Palestinian-Israeli issue. That's the reason something significant is needed, and public opinion needs to be taken into account more."

You mentioned the influence of Saudi public opinion on decision-making. Is this a new phenomenon, or has the royal house considered this over the years?

"It's not new," he said. "Saudi Arabia always took public opinion into account. This is one of the reasons why, historically, the Saudis were gradual or slow in their process regarding Israel and regarding their foreign relations in general.

"That's the reason why people think Saudi Arabia opened quickly under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, when the reality is that it's part of a gradual process. In foreign policy decisions, they always took local public opinion into account. That's the reason why fatwas (religious rulings) are very important, and they will continue to be important. You can see this even in the case of 'Desert Storm' (the first Gulf War, in which American forces were deployed to the kingdom). Believe it or not, Saudi Arabia made relations with Israel legitimate in the early 1990s in religious discourse."

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an urgent meeting Tuesday afternoon after his testimony in court was cut short due to security developments.

Video: IDF forces delineating Yellow Line / Credit: IDF

Israel is examining a series of punishment measures against Hamas for repeated agreement violations. Some of the sanctions under consideration include moving the yellow line westward, meaning expanding Israeli-controlled territory; re-entering the Netzarim Corridor to restrict Palestinian movement; reducing aid convoys and limiting entry of goods; and continuing the closure of the Rafah crossing.

A first penalty step was already decided when Hamas operatives were banned from working with the Red Cross in Israeli-controlled areas. The move was approved earlier this week to locate fallen hostages.

Netanyahu already faces pressure from cabinet members, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to "let all hell break loose." Smotrich sent a letter to the prime minister stating, "I intend to demand that the prime minister order the IDF to immediately rearrest all the terrorists released to the West Bank in the hostage deal in response to Hamas's repeated violations."

Ben-Gvir wrote on X, "The fact that Hamas continues playing games and not immediately transferring all our fallen soldiers' bodies proves the terror organization still stands on its feet. The time has come to break those legs once and for all. Now we don't need to 'extract a price from Hamas' for the violations. We need to extract its very existence from it and destroy it completely – in accordance with the central objective defined for the war of revival. Mr. Prime Minister, enough hesitation – give the order!"

Another person who called on Netanyahu to respond forcefully was his main electoral rival and former prime minister, Naftali Bennett. "Not 'we'll settle accounts' and not 'painful response.' Hamas is cancer. Hamas must be destroyed," Bennett wrote.

"Not Learning from Mistakes"

The family of fallen hostage Hadar Goldin responded, "Hamas continues the psychological terror as in all 4,107 days they have held him, except this time Hamas made a mistake from which there will be no way back – this is an act of terror that Hamas is now doing personally and deliberately against US President Donald Trump. We are confident President Trump will respond uncompromisingly, especially in light of the ultimatum he set for the terror organization Hamas. Not only did Hamas not meet its commitment but also in its attempt to humiliate the most powerful man in the world."

"We call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to act according to his commitments, which were guaranteed by all the mediators, including Emir of Qatar Mohammed bin Thani, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Once again, the State of Israel, as has been its pattern for the past 11 years, does not learn from systematic past mistakes, 'pays in advance' to the terror organization Hamas for all its demands despite Hamas violating the agreement already in the first stage – to transfer all information on the location of the fallen soldiers, with all necessary efforts to find and return all the fallen."

"The family and the entire public will continue the uncompromising struggle to return to Israel's soil the heroic soldier Lt. Hadar Goldin. We call on the people of Israel to take to the streets and not give up until the return of the last fallen soldier immediately!"

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"Countless people have asked me whether elections will even take place," Bennett wrote. "Let me be clear: we will not allow anyone to delay or disrupt them. We are on top of this. Elections can only be postponed with the approval of 80 Knesset members, and there is no such majority."

Turning to security chiefs, police officers, public servants, judges and members of the Central Elections Committee, Bennett said: "Continue to safeguard the law and the state. I am aware of the immense pressure being exerted on you. It is not easy, but do not agree to break the law or bend the rules because of political pressure. You will not forgive yourselves for deviating from the law; you bear responsibility for your actions. There is a tomorrow. Do not be afraid. This government will soon be replaced."

Bennett went on to accuse the government of corruption and misconduct: "The harmful norms that have seeped into public institutions – such as allowing enemy state agents to operate from the prime minister's office, ministers receiving bribes, or political and criminal fixers intervening in the promotion of senior army and police officers – will be uprooted at the root. The country will soon return to a healthy path of professional governance, renewal and growth."

Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to Bennett's remarks, saying: "Bennett declares he is aware of pressure on the security establishment to prevent the elections. Just as he was 'aware' of the plan to strike Iran, which he opposed only days before it was carried out."

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Therefore, in the official's view, the Israeli prisoner cannot free himself from prison. What's needed here is tough love from Washington. Well, President Trump has no intention of doing anything like that, quite the opposite. In a series of statements, he has already outflanked Benjamin Netanyahu and his government from the right. On the Ukraine war issue, he zigzagged; on the Gaza issue, he is painfully consistent, to the point of boredom: a decision as fast as possible, as painful as possible. "To win, you need to play," he explained his doctrine this week. This week, rumors again spread about a big deal with Arab states – a multinational, multi-Arab force that would rule the Strip.

Even before the campaign has begun, it's already possible to determine that there has never been such a big parking lot, so active, as the one in the Israeli center-Right. If Benny Gantz manages to lose a million and a half voters in polls within a year and a half, and drop from 37 seats to 0, this isn't even short-term parking. It's more "park and go."

Bennett's venture is much more far-reaching – a triple union with Liberman and Eisenkot, one right wing and one left wing, each one compensates for the electoral weaknesses of his two rivals. This won't decide the election results, but will certainly make the Opposition bloc a done deal.

For example, Maj. Gen. (res.) Yoav (Poli) Mordechai, suspected of contact with a foreign agent and bribery in the same Qatargate. Mordechai holds an extremely sensitive position, deputy to Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, who is in charge of the hostages and missing persons issue. And here, it turns out that the man has no problem with the fact that someone suspected of receiving bribes from Qatar holds a sensitive position that naturally touches on negotiations with that same Qatar. Here, there are no demonstrations; here, the police don't go out of their way for his removal from the sensitive front; here, there's no concern about obstruction of justice, and no media campaign.

Almost no one attacks the IDF when it rallies behind him for his benefit in a special statement: "The acquaintances of Maj. Gen. (res.) Mordechai with the Arab world and Qatar, and his business activities have been known to his commanders since the beginning of the war, including proper disclosure that was made on the subject. Since the beginning of the war, Mordechai has been fully harnessed to the hostage headquarters. He does not conduct direct negotiations with the mediators, but his contribution is most significant and sometimes even critical to the effort. All along, professional positions were courageous and without bias, and contributed greatly to the work. The IDF thanks him for his investment in the 19 months that have passed and expects he will continue his important contribution."

If only it would really be decided to cut out the Qatari cancer growth in the heart of the security and political establishment in Israel. For example, when it becomes clear why the heads of the IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad were hosted in the VIP box in the World Cup quarterfinal. They all claimed then that it was a professional visit for security purposes, because it's known that one can oversee spectators' security only from a premium box at $8,000 per head with free whiskey.

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While such statements might simply be emotional venting, they clearly indicate shifting attitudes in Washington. Trump has generously replenished Israel's weapons stockpiles and has refrained from voicing any criticism against Israel until now. However, his patience appears to be running out. Consequently, if Israel intends to accomplish its military objectives and emerge victorious from the conflict, it must act swiftly and adjust its approach accordingly.

A senior American official explained to Israel Hayom, "This administration remains supportive, but we're not dealing with the same personnel as during the first term. Israel needs to recognize this reality." When contacted, the office of former prime minister responded, "We have no knowledge of any such approach."

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