FBI Director Issues Warning Amid Israel, Hamas Conflict

(RepublicanPress.org) – In the early morning hours of October 7, Hamas — a terrorist organization in the Middle East — launched thousands of missiles upon Israel. The group followed up that barrage of explosives with a coordinated attack by land, sea, and air. More than a week later, reports show at least 1,400 people in Israel and over 2,750 victims in Gaza have been killed so far. Also, nearly 10,000 have been wounded in the war. Now, the US is seeing an increased threat inside its borders.

On October 14, FBI Director Christopher Wray spoke at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference. He said the bureau is seeing an “increase in reported threats” since Hamas attacked Israel. Wray encouraged the audience to “stay vigilant” because they are typically the first to have eyes and ears on the ground to identify possible threats. The director said targeting a specific community because of their beliefs is “totally unacceptable,” whether that was coming from a foreign or domestic source.

Threats in the U.S. have been rising, since Hamas invaded Israel a week ago, FBI Director Christopher Wray and FBI officials said Sunday in a rare phone briefing for reporters. https://t.co/Os4dQPSDqc

— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 16, 2023

Wray encouraged conference attendees to participate in sharing what they know and learn so that all agencies can work together to keep the communities within the United States safe. Wray said he was particularly concerned about “lone actors” who may have been inspired by Hamas’ attack on Israel enough to “commit violence” themselves.

CBS News reported that Wray specifically noted increased threats against both Jews and Muslims, saying the US can’t dismiss the possibility that “Hamas or other foreign terrorist organization” will try to mobilize their followers and supporters to attack on American soil. He said law enforcement is working hard to “mitigate” any threats against the groups threatened and their places of worship. While Wray said most threats didn’t amount to anything, others garnered more attention. The director said he was “horrified” by what was currently happening at the “hands of Hamas.”