Iran-Linked Hackers Leak 19,000 Files From Ex-IDF Chief Herzi Halevi's Phone
Image: Ynetnews

Iran-Linked Hackers Leak 19,000 Files From Ex-IDF Chief Herzi Halevi's Phone

09 April, 2026.Technology and Science.12 sources

The story in 15 seconds

  • Iranian-linked Handala hacked ex-IDF chief Herzi Halevi’s personal phone and accounts.
  • Handala says it obtained 19,000 files, including private photos, videos, and personal documents.
  • The breach reportedly spanned years, with long-term access to Halevi's phone and related accounts.

The divide · 1 of 5

Tone and framing of Handala

Shows a dramatic difference in tone: neutral, security-focused reporting (Haaretz) versus a celebratory/heroic framing of the hacker group (PressTV).

Who skipped what

How each outlet frames it

Every outlet we compared, the headline it ran, and a link to the original article.

Source Diversity
12 sources
Israeli
5
Western Alternative
3
Other
2
West Asian
1
Asian
1

Other

Caspian Post
Caspian Post

Iranian Hackers Allegedly Access Former Israeli Military Chief’s Phone

09 April, 2026

Read the original →
CTech
CTech

Iranian hackers claim access to top secret info stolen from former IDF chief’s phone

09 April, 2026

Read the original →

Israeli

Haaretz
Haaretz

Iranian Hackers Leak ex-IDF Chief's Private Photos, Videos, Personal Information

09 April, 2026

Read the original →
i24NEWS
i24NEWS

Iranian Hackers Publish Dozens Of Photos Of Former Israeli Chief Of Staff

09 April, 2026

Read the original →
Israel National News
Israel National News

Iranian hackers publish dozens of photos of Herzi Halevi

09 April, 2026

Read the original →
The Times of Israel
The Times of Israel

Iran-linked hackers leak photos of ex-IDF chief Halevi’s work and family life

09 April, 2026

Read the original →
Ynetnews
Ynetnews

Iranian hackers claim deep breach of ex-IDF chief’s phone

09 April, 2026

Read the original →

Western Alternative

Middle East Eye
Middle East Eye

Hackers say they obtained at least 19,000 files from ex-Israeli army chief Halevi's phone

09 April, 2026

Read the original →
Palestine Chronicle
Palestine Chronicle

‘We Were in the Room’: Iran-Linked Hack Targets Halevi with Massive Data Leak

09 April, 2026

Read the original →
WION
WION

Palestine linked hacker group Handala clamis breach of ex-IDF chief's phone

09 April, 2026

Read the original →

West Asian

PressTV
PressTV

Handala hacks account of ex-Israeli army chief, exposes secret Jordan coordination

09 April, 2026

Read the original →

Asian

The Times of India
The Times of India

'Your Life An Open Book': Iran-Linked Hackers Strike Ex-IDF Chief's Devices, 'Clinch' 19K Pics

09 April, 2026

Read the original →

Full story

Handala Hacks Halevi

Handala claimed it had infiltrated the personal phone of former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

Photo credit: industrialcyber

Caspian PostCaspian Post

The group extracted roughly 19,000 files including photos, videos, and recordings from secret meetings.

Image from Caspian Post
Caspian PostCaspian Post

They published images showing Halevi in military settings, private family moments, and undisclosed diplomatic visits.

One visit was a secret trip to Jordan where Halevi met with Jordanian Army chief Yousef al-Hunaiti.

The leak included identification documents of Halevi and his wife.

Israeli sources confirmed the authenticity of the photos to CNN.

Diplomatic Secrets Exposed

The leaked materials revealed diplomatic interactions that had been kept under wraps.

Halevi presented Hunaiti with a dagger belonging to a Jordanian soldier killed in the Six-Day War.

Image from CTech
CTechCTech

The leak came just hours after President Trump announced a ceasefire.

The group threatened to release additional content in the future.

Security Vulnerabilities

Such attacks often rely on social engineering and spear-phishing.

Gil Messing said the cyber war does not stop with a ceasefire.

The leak follows a series of Handala operations targeting top Israeli officials.

Iranian Retaliation

The Handala hack came amid escalating Iranian cyber operations targeting Israeli officials.

The group has been identified by US intelligence as a front of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security.

Image from i24NEWS
i24NEWSi24NEWS

The leak included military, diplomatic, and personal materials.

The Times of Israel noted the leak should shake the sense of security of top officials.

The deep audit

How victims, perpetrators and terms are handled across outlets.

More on Technology and Science