Federal law enforcement agencies are warning of potential domestic threats as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues.
The FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, have issued a public service announcement highlighting potential threats in the U.S. from a “variety of actors” in response to the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, and subsequent activities in the region amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. These activities include calls by foreign terrorist organizations to their supporters seeking to cause violence in the West, according to a joint public service announcement.
The FBI is continuing to monitor threats associated with the conflict, both in the U.S. and overseas. As the conflict continues, the agency has seen an increase in reports of threats against Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities and institutions. Concerns are rising that violent extremists and lone offenders either motivated by or reacting to ongoing events could target these communities, according to a statement from the FBI.
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 country, federal officials say.
Federal law enforcement noted an incident that occurred on Oct. 14 in Illinois, where an individual stabbed and killed a six-year-old Palestinian-American child and severely wounded his mother. This incident is being investigated as an anti-Muslim hate crime, the announcement says.
“We take all potential threats seriously and are working closely with our law enforcement partners to determine their credibility, share information, and take appropriate investigative action,” the FBI said in a written statement.
While the FBI and DHS do not have specific information that foreign adversaries are plotting attacks against the U.S., “some are seeking to take advantage of the conflict, calling for violence in furtherance of their respective goals,” the announcement says.
Earlier this month, al-Qaeda called for support to Hamas through attacks against American facilities, including military bases and embassies, in Muslim countries. ISIS reportedly urged followers to target Jewish people all over the world. Iranian media outlets have also issued and/or amplified disinformation and misinformation about the conflict in ways that “risk deepening resentment and evoking strong emotional responses among English-speaking audiences,” according to the announcement.
“Tensions between Israel and the Palestinian territories have long been a source of calls for violence against Jewish, Arab-American and Muslim communities,” the announcement says. “This history, coupled with the current widespread sharing of graphic and disturbing content related to this conflict, increases the risk of incitement to violence in the United States.”
With this in mind, federal law enforcement is urging the public to remain vigilant to report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Locally, the FBI’s Indianapolis field office is working closely with their law enforcement partners to share information and identify and disrupt any threats that may emerge in local communities, a spokesperson said in a written statement. To report information in Indiana, the public can contact FBI Indianapolis at 317-595-4000 or submit a tip to tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL FBI.
