Iranian hackers claim to break into former PM Naftali Bennett’s phone — reports

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett speaks during the Israel Information Technology Conference in Ness Ziona, May 5, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90)
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett speaks during the Israel Information Technology Conference in Ness Ziona, May 5, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90)

An Iranian hacker group says it has broken into former prime minister Naftali Bennett’s cellphone, according to Hebrew media reports.

The Ynet outlet quotes the Iranian “Handala” hackers’ group as saying that it infiltrated the politician’s phone in what it has dubbed “Operation Octopus.”

“You once prided yourself on being a leading light of cybersecurity, and displayed your expertise to the world,” Ynet quotes the group as saying, in an apparent reference to Bennett’s background as a co-founder of a cybersecurity company.

“And even so, how ironic that your iPhone 13 fell so easily into the hands of Handala,” the statement continues. “Despite all of your pride and boasting, your digital fortress is nothing more than a paper wall waiting to be broken.”

Bennett has referred to Iran as “the head of the octopus” of forces threatening Israel in the region.

The former premier is seen as the most credible challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in next year’s elections.

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