71 Winter 2026 domain, Iran has initiated thousands of attempts to conduct computer network offensive operations against private and public sector assets, as well as critical infrastructure, in Israel.21 Such attempts have significantly increased in recent years,22 and have included Iranian cyber operations against Israeli hospitals.23 Other groups, working in cooperation with Iranian Intelligence, have attempted to conduct similar operations against water, energy and IT infrastructure.24 Iran carried out two massive direct overt attacks against Israel after Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023 and prior to the Operation. In April 2024, Iran launched approximately 120 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles, and 170 armed drones at Israel. In October 2024, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. Prior to the Operation, these were the largest ballistic missile and armed drone attacks in history. These attacks killed and wounded Israelis and Palestinians and caused damage to military and civilian sites. On both occasions, Israel responded with attacks in Iran, including on Iranian air defense batteries and other military assets. Over the years, there have been further attacks by Iran, and by Israel in defense of its citizens, only some of them overt and publicly known. b. Hostilities with Iranian proxies, partners or other affiliated armed groups The direct hostilities between Iran and Israel are only one facet of the ongoing armed conflict between the two States. As noted above, Iran’s strategy toward Israel also includes sustained support of and cooperation with nonState armed groups – including Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and others – of different types and levels. These groups have been engaged in their own armed conflicts with Israel for years, and their operations intensified dramatically on and subsequent to October 7, 2023. The Iranian regime has consistently directed, guided, funded, trained, equipped with weapons and logistical support, supplied with intelligence and military know-how, and\or supported in other ways, these armed groups and attacks they have launched against Israel. The exact nature of the Iranian regime’s relationship with, and degree of control over, each of these armed groups has fluctuated over time and through circumstances. A comprehensive account of the nature and features of Iran’s relationship with each group exceeds the scope of the current document. It is sufficient to note that Iran has consistently been substantially involved in acts of armed force carried out by these groups in their conflicts against Israel. These Iranian activities have significant legal implications. In terms of international law rules governing the use of force, Iran’s substantial involvement in acts of armed force carried out by these groups legally constitutes an armed attack by Iran against Israel.25 Since there 20. Iran Attacks Israel from Syria, IDF (Nov. 20, 2019), https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/iran/iran-attacks-israel-fromsyria/. 21. For data on cyber operations in 2022, see for example The INCD Has Thwarted 1,000 Potential Widespread Cyber Attacks, Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) (Jan. 31, 2023), https://www.gov.il/en/pages/cybertechglobal_gaby/. 22. See, for example, on data published by the INCD, Emanuel Fabian, Cyber Officials Say Iranian, Hezbollah Attacks Against Israel Tripled Since Oct. 7, Times of Israel (Feb. 1, 2024), https://www.timesofisrael.com/cyber-officials-sayiranian-hezbollah-attacks-against-israel-tripled-since-oct-7/; see also Annual Summary 2023: Iranian-Linked Cyber Groups Promote Attacks on Israel, INCD (2024), https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/news/booklet_yearly_summary_2023/ en/booklet_yearly_summary_2023_eng.p df; Annual Summary 2024: Statement by the Director General on Iran’s Efforts to Harm Essential Infrastructure in Israel, INCD (2025), https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/news/booklet_yearly_ summary_2024/en/booklet_yearly_summary_2024_eng.p df; Remarks by Director General Gaby Portnoy at Cyber Week 2024, INCD (June 2024), https://www.gov.il/en/pages/portnoy_cyber_week_24/. 23. Iran and Hezbollah Behind an Attempted Cyber Attacks on Ziv Hospital, INCD (Dec. 18, 2023) (in Hebrew), https:// www.gov.il/en/departments/news/ziv181223. 24. Alert 1676: Suspicious Cyber Activity Detected in Israeli Infrastructure, INCD (Jan. 12, 2024) (in Hebrew), https:// www.gov.il/he/pages/alert_1676. 25. In this regard, see Article 3(g) in the U.N. General Assembly Resolution on the definition of ‘Aggression’: G.A. Res. 3314 (XXIX), Definition of Aggression (Dec. 14, 1974). See also Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. United States of America), Merits, Judgment. I.C.J. Reports 1986, p. 14, para. 195.
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