On October 7, 2023, as Hamas launched an offensive against Israel, a cyberattack that disrupted early warning systems was directed by Ahmed and Alaa Omer, two Sudanese men. The attack aimed to disable alerts that would inform Israeli citizens about the unfolding danger, potentially exacerbating the tragedy that resulted in about 1,200 fatalities and over 200 abductions. The indictment filed in California earlier this week highlights their ties to a cyber group known as Anonymous Sudan, which has been responsible for over 35,000 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks within a single year. Their targets included U.S. agencies, international hospitals, and various news organizations.
U.S. Charges Brothers Linked to Cyberattacks During Hamas Offensive
U.S. Charges Brothers Linked to Cyberattacks During Hamas Offensive
The Justice Department has accused two Sudanese siblings of executing a cyberattack that hindered Israeli early warning systems during the Hamas assault in October 2023.
The pair allegedly claimed the cyberattacks were a form of retaliation against Israel for bombing medical facilities in Gaza, further illustrating the contentious intersection of cyber warfare and real-world conflict. The indictment reflects the severity of their actions, noting that their attacks on infrastructure reached beyond Israel to disrupt services in countries like Denmark, France, and Sweden. In one notable incident, the brothers reportedly forced Los Angeles’s Cedars-Sinai hospital to redirect emergency services after cyber systems were shut down. The alarming scope of their cyber operations and its implications on national and international security have underscored the increasing integration of cyber threats in contemporary military conflicts.
