FBI Director: Hamas Attack Will Inspire Greatest US Terror Threat Since ISIS

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a recent Reuters report, FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a dire warning to the United States during a congressional hearing, stating that the recent Hamas terror attack on Israel has the potential to inspire the most significant terror threat to the country since the rise of ISIS nearly a decade ago. This revelation highlights the complex and interconnected nature of global terrorism, where events in one part of the world can have far-reaching consequences.

Since the commencement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza that was ignited by the brutal Hamas terror attack on Israel, foreign terrorist organizations have been quick to exploit the situation, calling for attacks against Americans and Western interests. This troubling development has raised concerns about the threat posed by homegrown U.S. violent extremists, Reuters reported. These sentiments were echoed in the report, which shed light on the gravity of the situation.

Director Wray made a sobering comparison when he stated,  “The actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we haven’t seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate several years ago,”  according to the Reuters report.  The stark reality is that violence in one part of the world can serve as a catalyst for terrorism and extremism thousands of miles away.

The remarks were made during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which was focused on assessing threats to the United States. The U.S. government has noted a significant increase in threats against various communities, including Jews, Muslims, and Arab Americans, since the eruption of the conflict in Gaza. This underscores the fact that global events can have domestic repercussions, fueling hatred and division.

In addition to this, the recent spike in attacks on U.S. military bases overseas by Iran-backed militia groups has raised additional concerns. Reuters also reported that Wray noted that cyber attacks against the United States by both Iran and non-state actors are likely to worsen if the conflict in the Middle East escalates. As tensions continue to rise, it becomes increasingly important for the U.S. to bolster its cybersecurity and military readiness.

Iran’s role in these developments cannot be ignored. The Iranian mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment, as was noted in the Reuters report. This leaves questions about their involvement and intentions unanswered.

During the same hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressed the rise of anti-Semitism in the United States. He stated that hate directed at Jewish students had increased since the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza that was brought about when Hamas terrorists savagely murdered 1400 Israeli and others on October 7th in southern Israel. Over 5000 were injured as well.

The White House expressed alarm at reports of the dramatic escalation of virulent anti-Jewish incidents at U.S. universities, prompting officials to enhance security measures to protect the affected communities, as was reported by Reuters.

It is essential to note that the complex situation surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its consequences in the United States is not confined to government officials’ discussions. Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican, raised concerns about a U.S. asylum officer who reportedly made anti-Israel social media posts but had not been fired, Reuters reported. Mayorkas clarified that the employee’s views did not reflect those of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of addressing internal divisions and bias within the U.S. government.

Lastly, the report mentioned that Attorney General Merrick Garland, during a ransomware summit organized by the White House, directed the Justice Department to assist Israeli investigators in probing financial flows to Hamas terrorists, including those involving cryptocurrency. This highlights the interconnected nature of modern crime and terrorism, which often utilizes cutting-edge technology to fund and facilitate illicit activities.