Israel-Hamas Conflict Escalates into Cyber Warfare

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a new turn, with reports of cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns spreading rapidly across the region.

Cyber Attacks and Disinformation Campaigns

According to sources, Anonymous Sudan, a hacktivist group, claimed responsibility for targeting an Israeli news media site with a DDoS attack, causing the website to be down for over two days. The group’s motivations behind the attack remain unclear.

• Multiple sectors in Israel have been targeted by cyber attacks, including:
  • ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
  • Financial
  • Public Administration
• Palestinian entities in the same sectors have also been targeted by cyber attacks.
• The CyberPeace Institute has detected a geographic spillover of cyber attacks, with targets in countries beyond Israel and the Occupied and Palestinian territories.

Disinformation Campaigns

Disinformation has become a major concern, with parties to the conflict spreading false information on social media platforms. The CyberPeace Institute emphasizes the importance of verifying information with reliable sources before sharing it.

• The Institute urges all individuals to be cautious when consuming information online and to fact-check information before sharing it.
• Social media platforms are being used to spread false information, propaganda, and hate speech, which can lead to further escalation of the conflict.

Impact on Gaza

In Gaza, internet connectivity has been severely impacted due to Israeli military operations and power outages. On October 27th, Paltel’s last remaining internet access went completely offline, affecting critical services such as:

• Emergency response
• Online communication

Calls for Ceasefire and Protection of Civilians

The CyberPeace Institute condemned the killing and abduction of civilians by Hamas and called for their immediate release.

• The Institute also urges all parties to spare civilians and infrastructure providing essential services from attacks, including cyberattacks.
• Experts warn that further escalation into a full-blown cyber war could have devastating consequences for individuals and communities on both sides of the conflict.

As the conflict continues, it is crucial that all parties take steps to prevent further escalation and protect civilians and critical infrastructure.