FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Tuesday that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has elevated the threat of terrorist attacks against Americans to “a whole other level.”
“The reality is that the threat of terrorism has been elevated throughout 2023, but the ongoing wars in the Middle East have elevated the threat of attacks against Americans in the United States to a whole other level,” Wray told the Senate Homeland Security Council. He spoke to members of the Ministry of Security. Committee.
Hamas launched a deadly terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, leading to a military response from its ally the United States. There is renewed concern in the United States that similar terrorist attacks inspired by Hamas and other terrorist organizations, including domestic and homegrown terrorists, could occur.
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FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on October 31, 2023 at the U.S. Capitol. (Mandel Gunn/AFP via Getty Images)
“We credit the actions of Hamas and its allies as an inspiration, but we haven’t seen anything like this since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate several years ago,” Ray said. he said. “In recent weeks alone, multiple foreign terrorist organizations have called for attacks against Americans and Western countries.”
Wray said the most pressing concern is that individuals and small groups may be affected by incidents, including domestic violent extremists inspired by foreign terrorist organizations or domestic violent extremists who target Muslims and Jews. He warned that he was inspired to attack Americans.
He cited the arrest of a man in Houston who researched bomb-making methods and posted posts supporting the murder of Jews, and the killing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois. He said it was being investigated as a hate incident. crime.
“circle“We also cannot and cannot discount the possibility that Hamas or other foreign terrorist organizations may take advantage of the current conflict to attack our territory,” he said.
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Smoke rises during Israeli shelling of the Gaza Strip on October 31, 2023. (Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images)
He also pointed to concerns about the threat posed by Hezbollah and Iran, which supports both Hamas and Hezbollah and cited its history of supporting terrorist and criminal activities.
”Given their disturbing history, we will be closely monitoring how recent events may impact those groups’ intentions here in the United States and how those intentions may develop. ”, citing cyber targeting of U.S. interests by Iran and other adversaries. .
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Ray’s comments echo those of other institutions. The White House announced this week that the Department of Justice and Homeland Security are seeing an “alarming increase” in anti-Semitic incidents and threats against the Jewish community.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said this week that the United States remains in an environment of heightened threat, and recent events have reinforced that.
“As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, reports of threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and organizations are increasing. Lone offenders motivated by a variety of violent ideologies may pose the greatest threat. “We urge the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activity to local law enforcement,” the spokesperson said.
Fox News’ Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.
