Iranian Hackers Breached Hundreds of Israeli Cameras for Intelligence Gathering
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Iranian-linked hackers breached over 250 cameras in Israel during 2026, potentially exposing sensitive security information near strategic sites. The National Cyber Directorate confirmed the breaches, which targeted cameras near military facilities and traffic routes. This follows a previous incident in December 2025 where Iranian hackers accessed a camera overlooking the Weizmann Institute. The investigation highlights the global vulnerability of internet-connected cameras to intelligence gathering by hostile actors.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Iranian-linked hackers exploited over 250 cameras in Israel during 2026 for intelligence gathering.
- The National Cyber Directorate confirmed the breaches targeted cameras near strategic facilities and security force areas.
- A camera at a chicken coop in northern Israel was compromised, with its interface language changing to Arabic.
- In December 2025, Iranian hackers accessed a street camera overlooking the Weizmann Institute before a missile strike.
- The investigation highlights the global vulnerability of internet-connected cameras to exploitation by hostile actors.
- Experts advise using strong passwords and security updates for internet-connected cameras.
Iranian-linked hacker groups exploited over 250 cameras in Israel during 2026, potentially compromising sensitive security information, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation. The National Cyber Directorate informed the newspaper that these breaches targeted cameras near strategic facilities, traffic routes, and areas with security force activity. One incident involved a camera at a chicken coop in northern Israel, whose owner discovered the breach when the interface language changed to Arabic. The National Cyber Directorate investigated and found hackers had gained control of the Chinese-made camera.
This is not the first time civilian cameras in Israel have been targeted. In December 2025, Yossi Kardi, head of the National Cyber Directorate, revealed that Iranian hackers accessed a street camera overlooking the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot shortly before an Iranian missile struck the facility that June. It was not proven that this camera was used to direct the attack.
The use of civilian cameras for intelligence gathering is a global phenomenon. Reports indicate Israel has also used hacked traffic cameras in Tehran to monitor Iranian officials as part of preparations for the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In Ukraine, hackers reportedly used a Crimean camera to track Russian helicopter movements and locate an airbase that was later attacked.
Globally, an estimated 1.2 billion internet-connected cameras are in operation. While some are well-protected, many with weak passwords or outdated software are vulnerable to exploitation by hostile actors. The origin of the breached chicken coop camera, which was Chinese-made, does not definitively link its manufacturing to the breach. However, concerns about Chinese surveillance equipment, such as from Hikvision and Dahua, persist due to security worries and China's National Intelligence Law. Experts advise consumers to prioritize manufacturers that provide security updates, use unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication.
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