Israel planted spyware through WhatsApp msg to detect Haniyeh’s location in Iran: report

European political analyst Elijah J Magnier has said that Israel tracked the location of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran using the Pegasus spyware, which led to a precision strike on the building where the Hamas leader was staying.

In a post on the microblogging platform X, Magnier explained that Pegasus is an Israeli-made spyware used by state authorities to conduct surveillance without relying on drones or human intelligence.

“Israel reportedly planted sophisticated spyware through a WhatsApp message sent to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. This software allowed Israeli intelligence to localize his exact position within his apartment,” Magnier stated.

According to Magnier, Haniyeh was killed shortly after a phone call with his son, during which his location was detected through the spyware.

“Pegasus has the capability to infiltrate smartphones, allowing the operator to access messages, photos, and location data, and even control the phone’s camera and microphone without the user's knowledge,” he noted.

#Israel's Use of Spying Software to Target #Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh:

Israel reportedly planted sophisticated spyware through a WhatsApp message sent to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. This software allowed Israeli intelligence to localize his exact position within his…

— Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺 (@ejmalrai) July 31, 2024

Magnier emphasised that Haniyeh’s assassination highlights the increasingly "sophisticated use of digital tools and technology in modern warfare, particularly for intelligence gathering and targeted strikes".

However, he also raised concerns about the misuse of such powerful technology by states to carry out illegal activities, infringing on privacy and violating international laws.

The location in #Iran, #Tehran, where #Hamas political leader Ismail Haniye was assassinated. pic.twitter.com/lhPIzWFbGY

— Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺 (@ejmalrai) July 31, 2024

The Iranian state media confirmed early Wednesday morning that Hamas’s political chief was assassinated in Tehran.

He was in Tehran to attend the swearing in ceremony of newly-elected Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.

Senior Hamas official, Khalil Al-Hayya stated that Haniyeh was killed by a missile. The witnesses reported the missile broke the window of the room before directly striking Haniyeh.