Israel: Pro-Palestinian Hacktivists Trigger Alarms in Schools

Handala, a pro-Palestinian hacktivist group, claimed responsibility on January 25, 2025, for hacking alert systems used in schools across Israel. The hackers were able to trigger alarms and play Arabic songs in about twenty schools, as well as in other educational institutions.

“A group of hackers breached the interface of a private company that provides these services,” confirmed Israel’s National Cyber Directorate (INCD). In addition to this attack, Handala also claimed responsibility for sending intimidating SMS messages to the phones of tens of thousands of Israelis.

The hacktivist group, reportedly funded by Iran, has been highly active since Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. Its stated goal is to wage psychological warfare to undermine the morale of the Israeli population.