The Palestinian armed organization Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Monday (October 7) marks one year since the unprecedented attack. As a result, the Israeli-imposed war is still going on in Gaza, Palestine. Tensions have already spread to other parts of the Middle East.
The United States has warned that extremists could capitalize on tensions in the Middle East to fuel violence on the anniversary of the Hamas attack. News from CNN
The warning was issued in a joint announcement by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday (October 4). The two agencies said the U.S. has so far not identified any specific or credible threats. But the suggestion comes ahead of the anniversary of the Hamas attacks and calls for violence by foreign “terrorist groups” against the West. A few other things worked behind this warning. They are Israel’s terrible attack on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Lebanon and Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israeli territory in response.
According to a CNN report, US police agencies have stepped up patrols at Jewish and Muslim institutions across the country in light of recent tensions in the Middle East, the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the Jewish New Year holiday.
Meanwhile, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has increased patrols around Monday. According to a source in a law enforcement agency, such patrols and surveillance may be maintained for the next two weeks. During this time, the police will also work to detect explosives in bridges and tunnels. Apart from this, helicopter units will be used for radioactivity detection.
In a joint statement, the FBI and DHS said Jewish, Muslim and Arab institutions, including synagogues, mosques or Islamic centers and community centers, memorials, and large public gatherings, including lawful protests, are currently attractive targets for violent attacks. The announcement also said, ‘Always be aware of your surroundings. Report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
The agencies estimate that foreign terrorist groups will try to divert people’s attention by exploiting the ongoing geopolitical situation in Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. And that could help lone attackers wreak violence on US soil as well.
Security sources told CNN that the so-called ‘lone attackers’ are not officially part of a terrorist group. They pose a formidable challenge to law enforcement.
A source said, “When organized terrorists communicate with each other, we are able to monitor them.” But it is very difficult to identify a single attacker. Because, such a person does not send any message to anyone to inform about his plan of attack.