Israel Reports Over 500 Cyberattacks on Academic Institutions Amid Gaza Conflict
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Jerusalem, Dec 18 (NationPress) The Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) disclosed on Wednesday that a staggering 517 cyberattacks have targeted universities and colleges across Israel since the onset of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October last year.
According to the INCD's statement, while numerous attacks were successfully countered, some resulted in considerable damage.
The INCD conducted a national cybersecurity drill for Israeli higher education institutions on Tuesday in response to the increasing cyber threats against Israeli entities.
This exercise, held at the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo, was designed to enhance the preparedness of Israeli academic institutions to tackle the growing cybersecurity challenges.
Participants faced intricate attack scenarios that required them to make real-time decisions, collaborate across departments, and respond swiftly and effectively, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
On Tuesday, Hamas indicated that a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement could be achievable if Israel refrains from imposing new conditions.
In their statement, Hamas described the discussions regarding a ceasefire in Qatar's Doha, under the mediation of Qatari and Egyptian officials, as “serious and positive.”
The indirect negotiations have gained traction in recent weeks, aiming to halt the hostilities that have persisted for over 14 months between Hamas and Israel.
Initially, several media outlets reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Cairo for a ceasefire-for-hostage arrangement, a claim later denied by Netanyahu's spokesperson.
Netanyahu's office later confirmed that he had actually visited Mount Hermon, located near the buffer zone where Israeli forces previously captured a Syrian army outpost.
Egypt and Qatar, with the involvement of the United States, are striving to broker a deal to conclude the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which erupted on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties in southern Israel.
In retaliation, Israel launched extensive air and ground assaults on the Gaza Strip, leading to more than 45,000 Palestinian fatalities, as reported by health authorities in Gaza.
