Hackers took control of digital passenger-information screens at bus stops in several Israeli cities on Wednesday night, around 9 p.m., broadcasting Arabic music, siren-like tones, and spoken audio, according to Ynet and videos shared on social media.
The incidents were recorded in Ashdod and Ramat Gan, among other locations. The Transportation Ministry said it is checking the source of the disruption, which was likely the result of a cyber incident.
Witness videos showed bus stop displays playing Arabic songs over loudspeakers, interspersed with sharp alarm sounds and Arabic speech, causing confusion among commuters during the evening rush.
Service appeared to resume within minutes as the system returned to normal output.
Ynet reported that multiple cities were affected, with clips specifically from Ashdod and Ramat Gan. The pattern suggests an intrusion into the centralized passenger-information system that feeds the countrywide screen network, though authorities have not confirmed the entry point.
The Transportation Ministry said it was examining the source of the malfunction and did not provide further details on possible attribution. As of publication, there were no official notices from major bus operators about widespread service disruptions linked to the incident.
Public-facing screens in Israel have been targeted before. In September, a prominent Jerusalem junction display was hijacked to show anti-government messages, raising concerns over the resilience of municipal signage networks.
Surge in cyberattacks over past year
Broader national reporting this year has also documented a surge in cyberattacks on Israeli targets and warnings about insecure cameras and public systems.
The incident on Wednesday night lasted only minutes before screens reverted to standard content, Ynet reported.