The preliminary rounds of the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast from the Israeli capital Tel Aviv on Tuesday were interrupted for some viewers by hackers, who issued a chilling missile attack warning.

A live stream of the competition was reportedly hijacked and replaced with a two-minute video featuring a fake logo which aped the Israeli Armed Forces and featured the ominous warning: “Israel is not safe, you will see” and "Warning: Risk of Missile Attack, Please Take Shelter."

איום טילים על האירוויזיון: אתר "כאן" נפרץ על ידי האקרים פלסטינים https://t.co/QtGTL7Lv1npic.twitter.com/fNovpGkHtr — TECH !וואלה (@WallaTech) May 15, 2019

Israeli broadcaster KAN revealed that its website had been hacked for several minutes but was limited in scope.

“We believe the messages were not distributed to many people. The EBU and KAN view cybersecurity with the utmost importance and the matter is being investigated,” the broadcaster’s statement read, as cited by the Jerusalem Post.

It is not immediately clear who was behind the attack and no one has claimed responsibility yet.

The hack comes amid a violent flare up of tensions between Israel and Palestinians which began earlier this month. At least 25 Palestinians and four Israelis were killed in this latest spate of violence.

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The Israeli Defense Forces have reportedly deployed a large number of the country's Iron Dome missile Defence batteries anticipating further violence ahead of the anniversary of the US embassy moving to Jerusalem as well as the Palestinians' Nakba Day, which was marred by violence in 2018.

Israel’s hosting of the song contest has proven controversial, sparking demonstrations in several countries and numerous calls to boycott on social media. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also gathered outside the Eurovision venue calling for an end to Israeli control of the West Bank and Gaza strip.

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