Iranian-linked hackers have breached the email account of former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, exposing sensitive personal data, internal documents, and a draft letter criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report by Haaretz.
The report said the hacking operation, attributed to a group affiliated with Iranian intelligence, revealed a wide range of materials, including personal contracts, media briefings, and a draft book, alongside correspondence shedding light on internal disagreements within the Israeli leadership.
Among the most notable disclosures is a draft letter from 2018 addressed to former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, marked “not for publication.” In the document, Pardo reportedly accused Netanyahu of undermining efforts to build a regional alliance against Iran.
Leaked documents reveal criticism of Netanyahu
According to Haaretz, the letter appeared to have been coordinated with former Israeli military chiefs Moshe Ya’alon and Dan Halutz, as part of a broader effort by former senior officials to challenge Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza, including decisions related to Hamas and Qatari financial transfers.
The hackers said the leak includes references to covert Mossad operations and alleged assassination plans.
The breach also provides insight into Pardo’s activities after leaving office in 2016, including consultancy work focused on Iran. Documents reportedly include a paid advisory agreement with the US-based organization United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), as well as briefing notes prepared ahead of meetings with journalists.
Additional materials include discussions of commercial ventures, such as a cyber defense project with the Indonesian government, and draft memoirs related to the Entebbe operation.
Security concerns following breach
Despite most of the leaked materials dating between 2016 and 2024, the report warns that the breach could carry significant security implications due to the exposure of personal details, including home addresses, phone numbers, travel patterns, and professional networks.
According to Haaretz, Israeli internal security assessments have previously warned that Iran seeks to compile detailed intelligence profiles on potential targets using such data. The concern has intensified following multiple arrests of Israelis in recent years on suspicion of cooperation with Iranian entities.
The report suggests the cyber campaign may be part of a broader Iranian response to Israeli assassinations of senior Iranian officials in recent aggressions.
Wider cyber campaign targeting Israeli officials
The hacking group, identified as Handala, has reportedly conducted a series of high-profile cyber operations. Last week, it published materials allegedly taken from the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel.
According to Haaretz, the leaks are part of a wider Iranian cyber campaign targeting the Israeli regime, involving dozens of cyberattacks against government institutions and high-ranking officials.
Handala publicly claimed responsibility for the leak. The group stated on its website that Patel’s inbox had been accessed and said he would now “find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims.”
In recent years, the group has released extensive data obtained from breaches, including police documents, identities of intelligence and air force personnel, and information from healthcare databases. It has also reportedly accessed communications and contact lists belonging to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, and Netanyahu’s chief of staff.
Israeli cyber officials say Iran is investing heavily in cyber operations to complement its broader military efforts, including attempts to hack surveillance systems and recruit agents to carry out attacks within the occupied Palestinian territories.
Source:Websites
