Hacking Group Handala Breaches Former Israeli Chief of Staff Phone, Exposes Secret Jordanian Coordination
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JERUSALEM — The Handala hacking group breached the personal mobile phone of Herzi Halevi, the former Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, exposing secret coordination between Jordan and Israel. The group released the material on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, marking a significant security incident involving high-level military communications.
Handala, a pro-Palestinian hacking collective, claimed responsibility for the intrusion in a statement accompanying the leaked documents. The group stated the objective was to reveal undisclosed diplomatic and military cooperation between the two nations. The exposed communications reportedly detail strategic alignments and intelligence sharing that were not previously made public.
Herzi Halevi served as Israel's Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2019. His tenure included major operations in Gaza and significant regional security developments. The breach of his personal device suggests a targeted operation aimed at accessing sensitive historical records. Israeli security officials have not yet commented on the authenticity of the documents or the extent of the compromise.
Jordanian officials have also remained silent on the matter. The Hashemite Kingdom maintains a peace treaty with Israel signed in 1994, which includes provisions for intelligence cooperation and border security. The leaked materials appear to reference ongoing coordination mechanisms established under that framework, though the specific nature of the secrets remains unclear.
Cybersecurity experts note that the use of personal devices for official communications remains a vulnerability for high-ranking officials. The incident highlights the persistent threat posed by state-aligned and non-state hacking groups in the region. Handala has previously targeted Israeli government websites and military infrastructure, often releasing data to advance political narratives.
The timing of the leak coincides with heightened tensions in the region. Diplomatic sources indicate that both Israel and Jordan are reviewing their cybersecurity protocols following the incident. No immediate retaliation or public response has been issued by either government.
Questions remain regarding the full scope of the data accessed. It is unclear whether the breach was limited to Halevi's device or if other officials were targeted. The authenticity of the leaked documents has not been independently verified, and both governments have declined to confirm or deny the contents.
The incident underscores the evolving nature of cyber warfare in the Middle East. As digital infrastructure becomes more central to national security, the risk of exposure increases. Handala's actions have drawn attention to the fragility of classified communications in an era of advanced cyber capabilities.
Further developments are expected as investigators assess the damage and determine the origin of the attack. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for regional stability and diplomatic relations.