Israeli Minister’s phone number leaked: Security lapse under scrutiny

The personal cellphone number of Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has been leaked on social media. According to Ynet, the leak was carried out by Turkish hackers. Katz confirmed that he received thousands of threat messages following the incident, and hackers also conducted video calls targeting him.

Video Calls and Threats
Hackers reportedly used video calls to verbally abuse Katz, and recordings quickly circulated online. In a statement, the minister said, “Organized Islamist groups leave messages and threaten me. They will keep trying; I will continue executing orders against terrorist leaders.”

Some reports suggest that far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s number was also leaked, though this has not been independently verified.

Questions About a Security Lapse
The incident has raised concerns about the digital security of Israel’s intelligence apparatus. Experts note that in the past year, Israeli intelligence has carried out high-profile operations:

• September 2024: Devices used by Lebanese soldiers for communication were destroyed, demonstrating Israel’s technological superiority.
• June 2025: Several Iranian government officials were killed in their homes by precision missile strikes, with Israel allegedly behind the attacks.

Analysts find it striking that an intelligence agency renowned for such sharp operations failed to protect a minister’s personal phone. The event has sparked discussions about potential cybersecurity gaps, especially regarding the protection of senior officials’ personal devices.

Qatar Operation and Türkiye Tensions
The phone leak coincided with Israel’s airstrike on Doha, Qatar, on September 9, 2025. Israel stated the operation targeted political leaders of Hamas. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning, saying, “Either expel or prosecute Hamas leaders; otherwise, we will intervene ourselves.” Analysts interpret this message as an indirect warning to countries like Türkiye, which have connections with Hamas.

International Reactions
Israel’s Qatar operation drew sharp regional and global criticism. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates condemned the strike. The European Union and the United Nations criticized Israel for violating international law. Ankara described the attack as “state terrorism,” while President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Israel’s actions undermined regional peace.