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Trump intelligence leak on Isis laptop bomb ‘came from Israeli hackers’

Israeli officials are concerned that any information shared with the US could now reach Iran via Russia.

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Classified intelligence which President Trump is thought to have shared with Russia was obtained by Israeli team that hacked into Isis computers, it has been reported.

Israeli "cyberoperators" tapped into the IT network of a Syrian-based cell of bombmakers several months ago, according to a report published in the New York Times on Monday.

The intelligence they obtained apparently showed the cell working on explosives which could pass through airport security as laptop batteries. The leaked intelligence led to a ban on laptops and other electronic devices on incoming flights from several Muslim countries to America and Britain.

The information was shared at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the Russian Ambassador to the USA, Sergei Kislyak.

While Israel has not confirmed it was the source, two Israeli intelligence officials told BuzzFeed News that it shared information with America about an Isis plan to sneak laptops packed with explosives onto planes.

One of the officers was quoted in the New York Times as saying the leaked intelligence confirmed Israel’s “worst fears”.

The intelligence communities of both countries have a long history of cooperation. However, due to suspicions about Mr Trump’s links with Russia, Israeli officials have expressed concern that any information shared with the US could now reach Iran via Russia.

According to a report published in January, American officials under President Obama implied that Israel should “be careful” when transferring intelligence information to the White House and the National Security Council following Trump's inauguration on January 20.

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