US Federal Agencies Warn of ‘Violent Extremists’ Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict
U.S. Authorities Warn of Growing Threat from Violent Extremists Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict
U.S. authorities have issued a warning about the increasing danger posed by “violent extremists and lone offenders” within the country, in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI have stated in a joint bulletin that the threat level has escalated since their initial warning earlier this month.
The war between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 7, has already become the deadliest of the five Gaza conflicts for both sides. Over the past two weeks, Hamas’s surprise attack has resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians, with over 200 individuals taken hostage in Gaza.
The FBI has observed a rise in reported domestic threats since the initial Hamas attack, according to Director Christopher Wray. He stated this during a call with reporters on October 15, shortly after the bureau’s news bulletin on October 10.
The recent bulletin emphasizes the increased volume and frequency of threats to Americans, particularly those in the Jewish, Arab American, and Muslim communities. It raises concerns that violent extremists and lone offenders, motivated by or reacting to ongoing events, may target these communities.
While there is no specific information regarding foreign adversaries planning attacks on the United States, some are taking advantage of the situation to further their own agendas.
Support for Hamas’s Attack
Al-Qaida has called for support of Hamas through attacks on U.S. military installations, airports, Navy vessels, and embassies in predominantly Muslim countries.
Similarly, the ISIS terror group has encouraged attacks on Jewish interests worldwide, with a focus on Jewish neighborhoods in the United States and Europe, including temples, nightclubs, and economic targets.
The bulletin also highlights Iranian media outlets misreporting information. These sources appear to be using doctored or mislabeled photographs and videos, as well as erroneous translations and deceptive content, to incite violence related to the conflict.
The longstanding tensions between Israel and the Palestinian territories have historically led to calls for violence against Jewish, Arab American, and Muslim communities. The current widespread sharing of graphic content related to the conflict reportedly increases the risk of incitement to violence in the United States, according to security agencies.
The FBI and DHS advise the public to remain vigilant and report any threats or suspicious activity to law enforcement, considering these potential threats and the exploitation of the conflict by foreign entities.
“These threats have included hoax bomb threats targeting houses of worship and violent rhetoric online encouraging attacks against the Jewish, Arab American, and Muslim communities across the United States,” the bulletin states.
“Of note, on October 14, an individual in Illinois stabbed and killed a 6-year-old Palestinian-American child and severely wounded his mother, an incident being investigated as an anti-Muslim hate crime.”
Previous Warnings
Director Christopher Wray mentioned on October 22 that the FBI is taking swift action to mitigate the threats and does not discount the possibility of Hamas and other terror groups using the conflict to incite or plan attacks in the United States.
“The threat is very much ongoing, and in fact, the threat picture continues to evolve,” he said, according to CBS. “Here in the U.S., we cannot and do not discount the possibility that Hamas or other foreign terrorist organizations could exploit the conflict to call on their supporters to conduct attacks on our own soil.”
Speaking at a conference in San Diego on October 14, Director Wray addressed an international audience of police chiefs, stating that the Middle East war is creating a “heightened environment” in the United States where individuals inspired by Hamas may seek to cause chaos.
“In this heightened environment, there’s no question we’re seeing an increase in reported threats, and we have to be on the lookout, especially for lone actors who may take inspiration from recent events to commit violence of their own,” he said.
“And I’d encourage you to stay vigilant, because as the first line of defense in protecting our communities, you’re often the first to see the signs that someone may be mobilizing to violence. And I’d also ask you to continue sharing any intelligence or observations you may have.”
Director Wray did not provide further details about the alleged threats or specify any actions taken by the department in response. However, he expressed condolences to the people of Israel and condemned anti-Semitism.
“History has witnessed anti-Semitic and other forms of violent extremism for far too long,” he said. “Whether from foreign terrorist organizations or those inspired by them, or domestic violent extremists driven by racial animus, targeting a community based on their faith is completely unacceptable.
“We remain committed to confronting these threats, both within the United States and abroad.”
Bill Pan contributed to this report.
What concerns do U.S. authorities have regarding the growing tension between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups in the United States?
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