FBI, DHS issue new warning of possible danger amid Israel-Hamas tension

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued a new public announcement Tuesday warning of potential safety dangers in the United States stemming from the ongoing war in the Middle East.

“FBI and DHS assess that ongoing tensions related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas likely heighten the threat of lone actor violence targeting large public gatherings throughout the winter, including holiday-related, faith-based, New Year’s Eve, and First Amendment protected events related to the conflict,” the agencies said in a written statement. “Although this announcement is not in response to any specific plotting activity, these targets likely remain attractive to lone actors inspired by a range of ideologies due to their accessibility and symbolic nature.”