Turkish Hackers Call Israeli Defense Minister Publish Video Screenshot

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz was targeted in a cyber harassment incident when a Turkish hacker group obtained his long-standing personal phone number, publicly shared it, and initiated a video call which Katz accidentally answered. During the call, the hacker insulted Katz and captured a screenshot that was widely circulated online, leading Katz to disconnect and ultimately shut down his phone. Following the incident, Katz received thousands of hostile messages, including death threats, some sent by automated bots. This personal cyberattack is part of a broader pattern of digital threats against Israeli officials, linked in part to Katz's previous public criticism of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and ongoing regional tensions. The episode highlights growing cybersecurity vulnerabilities for government officials relying on personal communication devices. Katz has served as Israel's defense minister since November 2024, during a period marked by heightened conflict and international scrutiny.