Israeli government websites have crashed on Monday evening as they were the target of a cyberattack alleged to be linked to Iranian hacker groups, Israel's Communication Ministry confirmed.
Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel is holding a situational assessment to determine the scope of the cyberattack on Israeli online infrastructure. The issue is being addressed, the ministry added.
This is the largest-ever cyberattack carried out against official Israeli websites, an Israeli source told Haaretz, adding that Israel initially believes a state actor or large organization had carried out the attack.
Sources in the Defense Ministry said the effects of the cyberattack are still unknown as the picture remains unclear. The attack seems to be concentrated on the Israeli government websites rather than sites related to Israel's security establishment, the source added.
Alleged Iranian-affiliated hacker group Black Shadow claimed responsibility for the attack, Iranian state-owned news outlet IRNA reported. Black Shadow was responsible for the hacking of and release of information collected from the database of Israeli gay dating app Atraf.
The "unprecedented" cyberattack represents a "state of emergency" for Israel's security, Rafael Franco, founder of cybersecurity company Code Blue and former deputy director-general of the National Cyber Directorate, said.
Referencing Black Shadow, Franco said that Israel is heading towards a "period of escalation in attacks in the cybersphere," advising all Israelis to prepare for a cyberattack.
This is a developing story.