Hackers expose military status of Israeli athletes in Paris Olympics

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Jul 2024 08:51

Police sources tell AFP the incident prompted France's Anti-Cybercrime Office to take steps to have the data removed from the relevant social media platforms.

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in a beach volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)

France's cybercrime unit, OFAC, is attempting to remove the private data of several Israeli athletes competing in the Paris Olympic Games from social media platforms, AFP reported on Saturday, citing police sources.

The sources indicated that the compromised data, including blood test results and login credentials, was published on Telegram on Friday.

They added that hackers also leaked personal information revealing the military status of Israeli athletes on social media.

The incident was reported to Pharos, a branch of France's Anti-Cybercrime Office (OFAC), prompting the latter to take steps to have the data removed from the relevant platforms, according to a source familiar with the case.

"Israel" warned France on Thursday about alleged potential threats from Iran-backed groups targeting Israeli athletes and tourists during the Paris Olympic Games.

In a statement on Thursday, the Israeli occupation embassy accused Iran of orchestrating a cyber-campaign to send social media threats aimed at allegedly intimidating the Israeli delegation.

On his part, the spokesperson of the Iranian Foreign Ministry responded to the Israeli accusations, saying they were "a desperate attempt to divert global public attention from the genocide in Gaza and to preemptively deflect from the global outrage over this regime's war crimes against the oppressed people of Palestine."

"Such accusations contradict the Olympic Charter, which is based on peace and friendship, and represent yet another instance of the Israeli regime's disregard for universal and international norms and values," Nasser Kanaani posted on X.

The diplomat added that the "accusations made by a regime that has, over the past ten months, slaughtered tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians, including women, men, and children, are not just unbelievable but also ludicrous."

اتهامات و نفرت پراکنی های وزیر رژیم کودک‌کُش اسرائیل علیه جمهوری اسلامی ایران در مورد #المپیک_۲۰۲۴_پاریس، تلاشی مذبوحانه برای منحرف کردن افکار عمومی جهان از نسل‌کُشی در #غزه و فرار رو به جلو در برابر خشم و نفرت جهانی از جنایات جنگی این رژیم علیه مردم مظلوم #فلسطین است.
اینگونه… pic.twitter.com/dFCCLBAFoG
— Nasser Kanaani (@IRIMFA_SPOX) July 26, 2024

France has launched a vast security operation to ensure the safety of the Olympic Games, which began on Friday and will end on August 11.

Approximately 18,000 French troops have been deployed to secure the Games, in addition to regular police forces.

Last week, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin pointed out in a TV interview that Israeli athletes will receive 24-hour protection during the Paris Olympics.

"Israeli athletes will be protected around the clock during the Games," he said.

On his part, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne reassured that France welcomes the Israeli delegation and is committed to their security.

"I want to say on behalf of France, to the Israeli delegation, we welcome you to France for these Olympic Games," Sejourne said at a meeting with European Union counterparts in Brussels.

This comes as the Israeli occupation forces continue with their aggression and daily massacres in Gaza, with the Health Ministry in the Strip confirming that the number of Palestinians killed since the start of the ongoing war on October 7 has risen to 39,258 martyrs and 90,589 injuries.