Hackers launch fresh attacks on Israeli websites

Arab hackers claimed responsibility Wednesday for a series of attacks on prominent Israeli websites, including that of daily newspaper Haaretz.

Cyber attacks against Israeli sites have been increasing since the start of the month, many of them claimed by Arab hackers.

In a Twitter message, the Palestinian wing of the global hacker collective Anonymous claimed responsibility for taking down Haaretz's Hebrew-language site, which was still out of commission by late Wednesday.

The paper's English section was also targeted but was up again by the afternoon.

Other victims included two Tel Aviv hospitals and the Israel Festival, a key cultural event in the Jewish state. On the festival's homepage, slogans said "Free Palestine" and "Death to Israel" while Arab music played in the background.

Arab hackers have since the start of January targeted many sites including those of the Tel Aviv stock exchange, the national airline El Al and local firefighters.

Hackers also posted the details from tens of thousands of Israelis' credit cards.

Israeli hackers have launched some counter attacks, though the Israeli government has asked them to show restraint.