Israeli Antiquities Authority Account Hacked: Image of Khamenei, Threat to Israeli Leaders Posted
Taarek Refaat
The official X account of Israel's Antiquities Authority was hacked early Sunday, with a chilling message posted alongside an image of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a missile launch.
The post, which appeared to be aimed directly at Israeli leadership, warned of imminent retaliation for alleged war crimes.
The message read:
'Soon, all Israeli leaders will face the consequences of the war crimes they have committed. Nothing will stop the day of harsh revenge for those who carried out such heinous acts.'
The image and message were quickly removed, but screenshots circulated widely across social media before Israeli authorities regained control of the account.
Growing Cyber Threats Amid Escalating Conflict
The breach comes amid a broader wave of cyberattacks linked to the ongoing military confrontation between Iran and Israel. Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Iranian operatives had successfully gained access to private surveillance camera networks in Israel, allegedly to collect real-time intelligence on strategic targets.
An unnamed former Israeli cybersecurity official told Israel's public radio that the country is facing "one of the most sophisticated cyber offensives in its history," warning of additional breaches targeting infrastructure, defense systems, and government networks.
Symbolic Target and Psychological Messaging
While the Israeli Antiquities Authority is not a strategic security institution, analysts say the symbolic nature of the attack—targeting a body responsible for national identity and historical preservation—was likely intended to strike a psychological chord.
'This was more than a data breach; it was a message,' said cybersecurity analyst Lior Mizrahi. 'The attackers chose a cultural institution to remind Israel that its history, its leadership, and its future are all under scrutiny.'
Escalating Hybrid Warfare
The incident adds another layer to the multifaceted conflict between the two regional powers, which has now extended beyond conventional military exchanges into the digital domain. In recent weeks, both sides have exchanged not only missile strikes but also coordinated cyber operations, misinformation campaigns, and electronic warfare.
As tensions mount, cybersecurity experts are urging Israeli institutions—public and private—to raise their defenses against what many now consider a full-spectrum cyber conflict.
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