Sensitive Data on Israeli Gun Owners Leaked Online by Iranian Hackers

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- A massive data breach has exposed sensitive personal information on thousands of Israeli gun owners. The breach, linked to Iranian hackers, has triggered concerns over Israeli national security. This information, which includes identities, addresses, and firearm details, is now available online, raising alarms among security experts.

The leak contains over 10,000 records of Israeli settlers who legally own firearms. Among the exposed details are home addresses, military and medical backgrounds, photographs, and the types of weapons owned. Additionally, the leak includes information about the storage of weapons in public institutions and data on armed security personnel.

According to Haaretz, the leaked files come from a mix of government and private security sources. Among them are records tied to the Police Security and Licensing Division, the National Security Ministry’s Firearm Licensing Department, and private security firms working with the Israeli government. The breach is particularly concerning because it also contains sensitive information about security personnel, including evaluations, recommendation letters, and police IDs.

The documents were first leaked in early March, but the breach reportedly began in December 2024. Iranian-affiliated hacking group Handala claimed responsibility for the attack. They have a history of operations designed to embarrass Israel and disrupt its systems, primarily through psychological warfare and influence campaigns.

Cybersecurity experts have warned that the exposed data puts gun owners at risk, making them vulnerable. One expert from databreach.com stated, “Anyone who keeps a gun at home is now at higher risk.” Despite attempts by Israeli officials to downplay the incident, it remains unclear how the data was obtained.

According to a 2024 National Cyber Directorate report, there was a sharp increase in cyberattacks and data leaks targeting the occupation state after it started the genocide in Gaza. The report also highlighted that phishing attacks remain the most common method used by hackers to infiltrate Israeli systems.