Israelis receive fake terror alerts as cyber warfare between Iran, Israel escalates

After many in Israel received text messages issuing warnings of terror attacks on Sunday, the National Cyber Directorate of Israel confirmed they were fake.

The text messages were “falsely warning of potential terrorist attacks in bomb shelters and urging recipients to avoid using shelters until further notice,” The Jerusalem Post reported.

Many also received text messages saying that the Israeli government was banning the purchase of fuel in Israel for 24 hours.

The deceptive text messages are believed to be part of an Iranian-backed operation.

“Officials believe these threats are part of a psychological warfare campaign orchestrated by Iranian or pro-Iranian groups aiming to sow widespread panic during the ongoing military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Rising Lion,” the report continued.

Speaking to Axios, the chief of staff for an Israeli cybersecurity company, Gil Messing, said that Iran’s “main objective” in its cyber warfare “is intimidation, fake news, [and] disinformation, much more than anything else.”

In addition to its strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites, top military leaders, and other targets, Israel is also engaging in cyber warfare against Iran.

On Tuesday, the Iranian government introduced sweeping restrictions on Internet use throughout the country, saying that it did so to protect Iran from “the enemy’s cyber attacks.”

Iran also accused the Israeli government of hacking into Iran’s state television network in order to broadcast a message to the Iranian people, urging them to rise up against their government.

Jonathan Harounoff, Israel’s spokesperson at the United Nations, commented on the story in a post on 𝕏, but did not confirm whether the Israeli government was behind the hack.

“Iranian state TV has been hacked, taking a break from its regular propaganda programming to broadcast iconic scenes from the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ uprising,” Harounoff wrote.

The video showed images of the widespread anti-regime protests that took place in Iran from 2022 to 2023, while calling Iranians to “rise up.”

“Rise up!” it said. “This is your moment. Go out into the streets. Take control of your future. It’s in your hands. It is possible.”

“The regime has failed to protect Iran’s airspace,” the video continued. “It has failed in its offensive efforts. It has failed to provide your basic needs – including water and fuel. It has failed to protect your money…”