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Israel's NSO unleashes controversial spyware in Gaza conflict

The Israeli government appears to be turning to controversial spyware maker NSO Group to help track those kidnapped and murdered by Hamas in the last month, according to a source with direct knowledge of NSO's operations.

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    • Israel-Hamas War
    • U.S. Politics
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    • Surveillance Technology
Israel's NSO unleashes controversial spyware in Gaza conflict
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    The big picture

    Pegasus can be used to tap into cell phone signals to assess who was on the ground during Hamas' surprise attack on Oct. 7.

    Israel's NSO unleashes controversial Pegasus spyware in Gaza conflict

    Israel's NSO unleashes controversial Pegasus spyware in Gaza conflict

    According to the NSO-linked source, several Israeli agencies are likely using Pegasus — a "zero-click" malware that can be snuck onto a target's device without them knowing — to help track people kidnapped by Hamas, as well as people who have gone missing during Hamas' attack last month.

    Between the lines

    NSO is also undertaking an active lobbying campaign in the United States to get its technology removed from a new list banning federal agencies from using its spyware, as well as a U.S. trade blacklist.

    Go deeper

    More from Axios on the Israel-Hamas war:

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