High-security computer systems broke down for hours on Friday. (Flash 90)

JERUSALEM (JWN and agencies)—The government on Sunday blamed a server malfunction for Friday’s massive crash of high security computer systems, including those of the Israel Defense Forces, the Mossad, and the Shin Bet security service. Several ministries were also affected.

The government’s Facebook page posted a notice declaring: “Due to a systematic malfunction of the servers, some of the government websites and services have not been accessible in the last few hours.” IDF spokesman announced there had most likely been a malfunction of the servers.

Government computer chief Carmela Avner told reporters that, “This is a technical problem that is being handled by all relevant means and all resources are being used …to fix the problem.” The computers were back up within hours.

Despite the government’s denials, attention was immediately drawn to a previous threat of a cyber-attack by an international group of hackers, known as Anonymous. They had warned in a YouTube video that they would retaliate for the Israel Navy’s interception of two yachts trying to run the arms blockade on the Gaza Strip on Friday.

Anonymous warned that if the blockade continues, it will be forced to launch repeated cyber-attacks on Israeli computer systems until it ends.