US disrupts Handala hacktivist websites

Pro-Palestinian, Iran-linked hacktivist group Handala had its data leak and doxxing sites taken down by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a law enforcement operation following its attack against leading U.S. medical device maker Stryker last week, TechCrunch reports.

"The United States Government has taken control of this domain to disrupt ongoing malicious cyber operations and prevent further exploitation," said the seizure announcement on both websites. While neither the FBI nor the Justice Department has provided additional information regarding the shutdown of the sites, Handala has confirmed the operation in a series of announcements on its Telegram channel.

"This act of digital aggression only serves to highlight the fear and anxiety our actions have instilled in the hearts of those who oppress and deceive. Although they attempt to erase the evidence and hide their crimes through censorship and intimidation, their actions only confirm the impact of our mission," wrote Handala.