Home Hamas hijacks Israeli social media: unnerving psychological warfare

Hamas hijacks Israeli social media: unnerving psychological warfare

In a terrifying development, Hamas has hijacked the social media profiles of kidnapped Israelis to spread hostile messages, propagate psychological warfare, and transmit menacing threats. This strategy has been used in at least four other occasions, beginning October 7, when members of Hamas gained control over their prisoners’ Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp accounts. The utilization of social media in conflicts is not a novel concept. Still, the audacity of these attacks underpins growing concerns about the safety and well-being of captured individuals and their exposed families.

To combat the malicious activities of Hamas, Israeli authorities are partnering with social media platforms to identify and remove such harmful content quickly. Simultaneously, Israeli officials support those affected by the distressing cyber attacks, including family members and friends who have fallen victim to Hamas’s online infiltration.

Israeli families targeted by Hamas’ cyber attacks

Thirteen Israeli families spoke to investigators, sharing their experiences in dealing with the recent cyber invasion. According to their accounts, members of Hamas infiltrated their imprisoned relatives’ Facebook groups, Instagram pages, and WhatsApp conversations, inciting violence and issuing menacing calls through the hostages’ mobile phones. The unprecedented cyber tactics employed by the terrorist organization sowed chaos among the victims and their families, intensifying feelings of vulnerability and despair.

Friends and family members of the abducted individuals describe their initial anticipation of receiving updates about their loved ones, only to then feel overpowered by the realization that terrorists have seized their personal social media accounts. The duplicitous tactic of Hamas compounds the pain, anguish, and uncertainty of these unfortunate family members who find themselves trapped in an emotional bind.

In addition to causing psychological stress, the unauthorized access to victims’ social media accounts raises crucial questions about privacy and security regarding the safety of their personal information.

While Hamas representatives have yet to acknowledge or comment on the situation, their silence could merely indicate their cautious approach to the controversy. Monitoring the political situation in the region remains vital, as any response from Hamas could have far-reaching consequences for the already fragile political climate.

Featured Image Credit: Adrian Fdez; Pexels; Thank you!

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Deanna was an editor at ReadWrite until early 2024. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind, Editor in Chief for Calendar, editor at Entrepreneur media, and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.