Israeli Prosecution Seeks Citizenship Revocation for Two Security Prisoners Convicted of Aiding Hamas Cyberattack Plot

The Israeli State Prosecution has filed a precedent-setting request with the Central District Court to revoke the citizenship of two security prisoners, Rani Oof and Shadi Aidi. Both were convicted of conspiring to assist the enemy during wartime and passing information to harm state security. The request was submitted at the Prime Minister's behest, who holds the Interior Ministry powers in this matter, and with the Attorney General's approval. It is the first criminal petition under the Citizenship Law to cancel citizenship due to breach of loyalty.

Oof and Aidi worked at Cellcom, where they had extensive access to the company's computer systems and infrastructure. They planned to disable Cellcom's IT and communication networks during a war or military operation to aid Hamas. Oof maintained ongoing contact with senior Hamas figures in Turkey and, with Aidi's help, transmitted sensitive information about Israel's communication infrastructure, Cellcom's security systems, and methods to bypass them. Their scheme aimed to disrupt a critical national infrastructure used also by Israeli security forces, posing a severe threat to state security.

Both defendants admitted to conspiracy to assist the enemy and passing information with intent to harm state security. Additionally, Oof was convicted of revealing a decision to betray and contact with a foreign agent. In 2024, the court sentenced Oof to 11 years in prison, a suspended sentence, and a fine; Aidi received 5.5 years, a suspended sentence, and a fine. The prosecution emphasized the gravity of their nationalist and ideological betrayal, highlighting the high potential damage of the planned cyberattack, especially timed for wartime, justifying citizenship revocation to sever their fundamental ties to the state.