Researchers recorded over 237 cyber operations targeting space infrastructure from 2023 to 2025.
Cyber warfare now threatens satellites and communications networks, the report warns.
Between January 2023 and July 2025, hackers launched 237 attacks on the space sector during the Gaza conflict.
The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zürich analyzed social media posts, news reports, and cybercrime forum activity.
They documented attacks on the Israeli space sector and international space agencies.
The study found the largest surge occurred during Israel-Iran clashes in June 2025, when attackers carried out 72 operations in one month.
This spike represented nearly one-third of all incidents, Clémence Poirier, the report author, explained.
The report highlights that cyber operations now follow patterns observed in other conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Researchers identified almost all threat actors as pro-Palestinian groups, with one exception.
The study notes that Hamas lacks satellites or space systems over Gaza, and pro-Israeli actors may have acted covertly.
Attack Methods and Targets
Hackers launched ten attacks in October 2023 after Hamas’s armed incursion on October 7.
These operations targeted the Israel Space Agency (ISA) and defence company Rafael.
The report states that global hacktivists initially struggled to coordinate attacks and select targets.
Hackers struck 77 different space organisations during the Gaza conflict.
They focused on Rafael, Elbit Systems, and ISA, but also targeted international bodies like NASA.
Most attacks hit aerospace and defence firms because of military production roles rather than space activities.
More than 70% of attacks relied on denial-of-service (DDoS) techniques to overload networks and crash systems.
DDoS attacks require minimal skill, act quickly, and serve as diversions for more complex operations.
Other attacks included data breaches, intrusions, and information leaks.
Some hackers timed leaks to coincide with critical events, though the report notes verification remains difficult.
Researchers concluded that manually tracked incidents likely reveal only a portion of the total attacks against space infrastructure.
Patterns Point to Persistent Threats
The largest activity spike occurred during a 12-day Israel-Iran confrontation in June 2025, producing 72 attacks.
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Iranian groups simultaneously targeted Israeli space systems.
The report explains that the two conflicts influenced each other politically, militarily, and rhetorically, while hackers operated across both arenas.
Hacktivists copied successful techniques from other conflicts and applied them during Gaza operations.
A 2023 DDoS attack by the Cyber Army of Palestine on ISA reused code from Ukraine’s IT Army.
Although most attacks caused minimal operational or physical damage, the study warns the pattern shows future space cyber warfare.
The report concludes that cyber operations increasingly form regular elements of modern conflicts, driven by hacktivist interest.
Researchers recommend developing space-focused cyber strategies to secure satellites and critical infrastructure against further attacks.
