FBI, DHS issue new warning of possible danger amid Israel-Hamas tension
FBI, DHS issue new warning of possible danger amid Israel-Hamas tension
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued a new public announcement Tuesday warning of potential safety dangers in the United States stemming from the ongoing war in the Middle East.
“FBI and DHS assess that ongoing tensions related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas likely heighten the threat of lone actor violence targeting large public gatherings throughout the winter, including holiday-related, faith-based, New Year’s Eve, and First Amendment protected events related to the conflict,” the agencies said in a written statement. “Although this announcement is not in response to any specific plotting activity, these targets likely remain attractive to lone actors inspired by a range of ideologies due to their accessibility and symbolic nature.”
The FBI and DHS issued two similar warnings in October following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel. FBI officials have seen a significant increase in reported threats since then, and repeatedly urged the public to be calm but vigilant for possible attacks against Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Arab people.
In addition to an increase in threats, law enforcement officials have also noted an increase in “hoax bomb threats and active shooter threats targeting synagogues around the United States, likely intended to disrupt services and intimidate congregants,” the announcement said.