What Israel's Strike on Hamas Hackers Means For Cyberwar

The weekend of May 4th, 2019 was marked by an unprecedented and key event that has reinforced ongoing discussions in the realm of political science and cybersecurity. The Israeli Defense Force(IDF) bombed and partially destroyed a building in Gaza because it was allegedly the base of an active Hamas hacking group. This landmark moment represents a true example of a nation using physical attacks to respond to cyber-attacks, and is an illustration of what could very likely be the norm for cybercrime deterrence once the attacker has been known. A widely held opinion among experts and analysts is that "the incidents of physical, violent retaliation against hackers are all but inevitable, as modern warfare continues to evolve."