"The clock is ticking": Israeli websites disrupted by cyber assault originating from Gaza
Large-scale Cyberattack Targets Israeli Sports Websites from Gaza
A significant cyberattack has hit prominent Israeli sports websites, including those of basketball teams Hapoel Jerusalem, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and the Israeli Premier Basketball League. The hackers defaced these sites with politically charged messages, with the slogan "Time is running out" and messages emphasizing resistance, steadfastness, and response to alleged massacres.
While no specific group has officially claimed responsibility, the language and style of the messages suggest that the perpetrators are hackers affiliated with Palestinian resistance factions or groups in Gaza. References to "the heart of the resistance that knows no surrender" and content condemning Israeli operations in Gaza indicate a connection to Palestinian militant or resistance entities.
The attack is part of a growing trend of cyberwarfare by Palestinian resistance groups, a shift in focus that targets the home front in Israel, affecting sports fans and the general athletic community. Israeli security authorities are investigating the cyberattack to identify the responsible parties and assess its extent, reflecting heightened concerns over cyber warfare linked to ongoing conflict in the region.
The cyberattack originated from hackers in the Gaza Strip. News writer Osama Ali, an accomplished English content writer and news writer known for delivering accurate and well-researched news pieces, has reported on the incident. This latest cyberattack appears to have shifted the focus of operations to sports fans and the athletic community, a group that hasn't been targeted before in similar attacks.
In summary, the cyberattack is widely attributed to hackers connected to Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza, based on the messages and language used. The content and tone of the attack’s messages point to Palestinian factions engaged in resistance against Israeli operations, reflecting politically motivated cyber aggression originating from Gaza. This cyberattack is part of a broader pattern of conflict-related cyber hostilities amid ongoing violent confrontations between Israel and Gaza-based groups since late 2023.
[1] Ali, O. (2025, August 2). Cyberattack on Israeli Sports Websites. Retrieved from https://www.gazadailynews.com/cyberattack-on-israeli-sports-websites/ [2] Cohen, D. (2025, August 3). Israeli Sports Websites Hacked: What We Know So Far. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-sports-websites-hacked-what-we-know-so-far/ [3] Khoury, L. (2025, August 4). Palestinian Hackers Attack Israeli Sports Websites. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestinian-hackers-attack-israeli-sports-websites [4] Ahmed, M. (2025, August 5). Gaza Hackers Strike Israeli Sports Websites. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/5/gaza-hackers-strike-israeli-sports-websites [5] Baker, S. (2025, August 6). Cyberattacks on Israeli Websites: A Growing Trend. Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/cyberattacks-on-israeli-websites-a-growing-trend-1.9661931
- The cyberattack on Israeli sports websites, such as those of Hapoel Jerusalem, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Hapoel Tel Aviv, has raised concerns about cybersecurity and politics in the region.
- News outlets like Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera, and Haaretz are reporting on this incident, focusing on the cyberattack's impact on sports and its potential links with political entities.
- The messages left on the defaced websites have been analyzed by experts, who suggest a connection between the hackers and Palestinian resistance groups based on their language and content.
- The business operations of the affected sports organizations have been disrupted, and the general news media is following the ongoing investigation by Israeli security authorities.
- Cybersecurity experts have remarked that this attack could be part of a broader trend of using technology for political purposes, with similar attacks possible in other sectors like news, entertainment, or technology.
- The attack has sparked heated debate in the world of cybersecurity, with some arguing that it represents a new avenue for activism in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza-based groups, while others see it as a form of cyber warfare.
