Iraqi Cyber Group Claims Senior Mossad Official Died in Car Bombing

TEL AVIV, Israel — An Iraqi self-described hacking group claimed Wednesday that a senior official in Israel's Mossad intelligence service was killed in a car bomb explosion in Israel. The group, identifying itself as Hanzala, said the target held a senior executive position in a newly established Mossad unit handling Iran-related intelligence. The explosion occurred on Highway 20 in Israel during morning hours, according to the group's statement. Hanzala said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance. The group further claimed that Israeli security forces' ability to protect officials was being called into question and that authorities in Tel Aviv might attempt to conceal the incident. Israeli officials have made no public statement on the matter. Independent media organizations said they were unable to verify the images and statements attributed to the incident. No further details were immediately available.