FBI warns of potential U.S. threats ahead of October 7 anniversary of HAMAS’ attack on Israel
Monday, October 7, 2024, marks the one-year anniversary of the deadly HAMAS attack on Israel – an attack that resulted in 1200 Israelis being killed with an additional 251 people being taken hostage – 97 of whom are still being held hostage with an estimated one-third of that number already believed to be dead. This week, in anticipation of that horrific anniversary, the FBI along with Homeland Security (DHS) issued a joint alert – warning Americans of potential threats in the U.S. ahead of October 7. Security in the U.S. has been stepped up as law enforcement anticipates demonstrations across the land to heat up.
On Friday, the Feds warned the public and highlighted potential threats in the United States from a variety of actors in response to the one-year anniversary of the HAMAS attacks and consistent calls by foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) to their supporters seeking to provoke violence in the West.
The Threat
The FBI and DHS assess the one-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks that initiated the ongoing Israel-HAMAS conflict, as well as any further significant escalations in the conflict, may be a motivating factor for violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators to engage in violence or threaten public safety. Over the past year, we have seen violent extremist activity and hate crimes in the United States linked to the conflict. Jewish, Muslim, or Arab institutions — including synagogues, mosques/Islamic centers, and community centers — and large public gatherings, such as memorials, vigils, or other lawful demonstrations, present attractive targets for violent attacks or for hoax threats by a variety of threat actors, including violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators. Such actors may view the anniversary as an opportunity to conduct an attack or other high-profile, illegal activity.
FTOs and other violent extremists likely will continue to exploit narratives related to the conflict to call for lone attackers to conduct violence in the United States. Online messaging associated with FTOs and other violent extremists highlighting the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks could motivate threat actors across ideologies, including those who espouse violent anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, to engage in violence. Individuals inspired by this online messaging could act alone to commit an attack with little to no warning.
The FBI’s announcement on Friday warned that “any further significant escalations” in the Middle East could also inspire violent acts in the U.S. that come “with little to no warning.”
“It is essential to be watchful for threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and institutions and to immediately contact law enforcement to report any suspicious activity,” the FBI said. ~ Newsweek
U.S. Resources
- Call 911 to report emergencies, including imminent threats to life.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
- The FBI and DHS encourage the public to promptly report information concerning suspicious activity to tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).
- For concerns involving US citizens abroad, to include reporting missing persons or individuals taken as hostages, please call the Department of State’s Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) toll-free hotline at (888) 407-4747 or complete Crisis Intake Form at https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake.
The FBI defines a hate crime as a crime motivated by bias against race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. Hate crimes fall within FBI’s legal authorities.
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(Source: FBI)
(Cover photo of Christopher Wray, Image credit: Twitter)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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