US warns of potential violence on Hamas attack anniversary
Photo: FBI warns of threat of violence ahead of anniversary of Hamas attack on Israel (Getty Images)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel may serve as a "motivating factor" for violent actions by extremists. Thus, there is a threat to public safety in the US, according to a joint statement from the FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security.
In the public announcement, there is a stated intention to "highlight potential threats in the United States" from various entities in response to the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, as well as "consistent calls by foreign terrorist organizations (FTO) to their supporters seeking to provoke violence in the West."
American law enforcement agencies note that the attacks on October 7, 2023, "initiated the ongoing Israel-HAMAS conflict, as well as any further significant escalations in the conflict."
US authorities believe that the anniversary date of the events may serve as a "motivating factor for violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators to engage in violence or threaten public safety."
"Over the past year, we have observed violent extremist activity and hate crimes1 in the United States linked to the conflict," the FBI statement reads.
Risk areas and potential threats
Potential targets for attacks or provocations may include Jewish, Muslim, or Arab institutions, including synagogues, mosques/Islamic centers, and community centers.
It is also noted that there is a threat of related incidents during major public gatherings.
All these locations are at risk "for violent attacks or for hoax threats" from extremists and other criminals.
Furthermore, it is indicated that extremists are likely to continue using "narratives related to the conflict to call for lone attackers to conduct violence in the United States."
There is also a threat of individual attacks and acts of violence, provoking conflicts between participants "across ideologies, including those who espouse violent anti-Semitism and Islamophobia," the FBI added.
It is worth noting that in April, it was reported that the FBI had not detected any threats to the US related to Iran's attack on Israel and the escalation of violence in the Middle East. However, the agency stated that it is closely monitoring the situation's developments.
Additionally, it was reported earlier this year that Israeli intelligence services announced Hamas's plans to carry out a series of attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe.
