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Israeli hackers breach Beirut air traffic control to warn off Iranian aircraft

Israeli army operators allegedly hacked into Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport’s control tower to stop an alleged arms shipment, but Lebanon denies claims.

user icon David Hollingworth
Mon, 30 Sep 2024
Israeli hackers breach Beirut air traffic control to warn off Iranian aircraft
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A state-run Turkish news agency has said that Israeli army hackers hacked into the control tower of Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport and threatened an incoming Iranian aircraft.

According to the Anadolu Agency, “official sources” shared details on the incident, which took place on Saturday, 28 September.

Once inside the traffic control network, the Israeli hackers warned Qasem Air’s Flight No. QFZ9964 – as reported by The Jerusalem Post – to turn back or it would be targeted if it attempted to land.

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The Lebanese Ministry of Transport then reportedly told Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport to prevent the Iranian aircraft from landing.

Not long before, Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari released a stark warning regarding Iranian air traffic into Lebanon.

“We will not allow the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah in any form. We are aware of Iranian weapons transfers to Hezbollah, and we will work to thwart them,” Hagari said in a statement just hours before the incident.

“We declare that we will not allow hostile aircraft carrying weapons to land at the civilian airport in Beirut. This is a civilian airport for civilian use, and it must remain that way.”

Ali Hamieh, Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, denied any claims that arms were being flown in via the airport. Hamieh added that “military air traffic at Beirut Airport is subject solely to the approval of the Lebanese army”.

Israel has so far neither confirmed nor denied its role in the incident.

David Hollingworth

David Hollingworth

David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.

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