Israel suspects Iranian cyberattack behind false siren alerts

By AbdelRaouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel suspects an Iranian cyberattack was behind false siren alerts Sunday in several neighborhoods in West Jerusalem and Eilat, according to local media on Monday.

Sirens were heard on Sunday evening in the towns of Talpiot, Katamon, and Beit Hakerem in West Jerusalem and in Eilat.

The cause of the false alarms, which last for nearly an hour, was not yet clear.

The Israeli Army Radio, however, said the Israeli National Cyber Directorate (INCD) suspects that a cyberattack was "behind a system malfunction."

According to the INCD, the attack was directed against the municipality's siren systems, and not through the Israeli army's alert system, and by accessing this system, the hackers were able to activate the sirens.

It did not specify who was suspected of having carried out this hack, but a former official accused Iran.

"Israel is preparing for Iranian attempts to harm the country through cyber warfare," said former army Deputy Chief of Staff Yair Golan.

There was no comment from Iranian authorities on the accusation

*Writing by Bassel Barakat