Iranian Hackers Breach Israeli Nuclear Scientists' Data
Repeated cyber attacks on Israeli nuclear institutions indicate the conflict between the two countries is moving to new fronts
November 13, 2024, 9:32 pm

Iranian Hackers Breach Israeli Nuclear Scientists' Data

إسرائيل وإيران

The Israel Atomic Energy Commission revealed that its nuclear centers were subject to a large-scale cyber breach carried out by a hacker group likely linked to Iranian intelligence, leading to the leak of sensitive information about senior Israeli scientists and officials.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office, quoting the Commission in a statement, emphasized that a detailed examination of the leaked materials showed that the published images and maps have no connection to Israeli facilities, while noting that the leaked screenshots contain "technical materials related to the particle accelerator project at the Sorek Nuclear Research Center."

According to the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz," the hacker group succeeded in accessing personal information of a nuclear scientist who worked at the "Sorek" center, publishing images of his passport, along with names of other nuclear scientists involved in the particle accelerator project. They also leaked photos and documents belonging to a former director-general at the Ministry of Defense.

The newspaper indicated that the breach, which occurred in March, also included leaking personal information concerning a current ambassador and former military attaché in the United States, along with sensitive information about families of prominent Israeli officials, as the hackers managed to access government email servers, including servers belonging to the Atomic Energy Commission.

The leaked materials included about 30 photos believed to be taken from the nuclear scientist's phone or personal email, related to his activities as a radiation safety expert, along with several images of computer systems for the SARAF particle accelerator project revealing names of other nuclear scientists.

These leaks coincided with Israeli authorities announcing the arrest of dozens of Israelis in recent months on charges of cooperating with Iranian intelligence agencies, aiming to target senior Israeli officials, including a nuclear scientist. Observers note that assassinating an Israeli scientist, even if working in non-military nuclear research, would represent "a major psychological victory for Iran."

In a notable development, the National Cyber Security Authority and Israel Security Agency "Shabak" have maintained silence regarding these developments, while the hacker group continues to systematically leak sensitive personal information about current and former Israeli military and government officials for several months.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.