Israeli hackers breach Beirut air traffic control to warn Iranian planes
Israeli army operators allegedly hacked the control tower at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport to stop an alleged arms shipment, but Lebanon denies the allegations.
A Turkish state news agency said Israeli military hackers hacked into the control tower of Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport and threatened an approaching Iranian plane.
According to Anadolu Agency, “official sources” shared details about the incident, which took place on Saturday, September 28.
Once inside the traffic control network, Israeli hackers warned Qasem Air flight number QFZ9964, it was reported The Jerusalem Post – turn back or you would be attacked if you tried to land.
The Lebanese Ministry of Transport then reportedly ordered Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport to prevent the Iranian plane from landing.
Not long before, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari issued a harsh warning about Iranian air traffic to Lebanon.
“We will not allow the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah in any form. “We are aware of Iranian arms transfers to Hezbollah and 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 civil airport for civil use and should remain that way.”
Ali Hamieh, Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, denied any claims that weapons were being brought in through the airport. Hamieh added that “military air traffic at Beirut airport is subject only to the approval of the Lebanese army.”
Israel has so far neither confirmed nor denied its role in the incident.
