WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) is probing possible threats to US citizens in the wake of the recent Israel-Hamas war, the agency said in a statement.
The statement comes as tensions between Israel and Hamas remain high, following a recent flare-up in violence. The two sides have been engaged in a tit-for-tat exchange of rocket attacks and airstrikes, which has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people on both sides.
“The FBI is aware of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and is monitoring the situation closely,” the statement said. “We are investigating any potential threats to US citizens and will not hesitate to take action against anyone who seeks to harm them.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter): The FBI is committed to protecting the lives of American citizens, and will take all necessary steps to do so, including adjusting its security posture as needed.
The FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Israel is working closely with local partners to locate and identify any affected US citizens.
The FBI’s warning comes as US officials are increasingly concerned about the potential for violence to spill over from the conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip to the United States. In recent years, there have been several instances of individuals linked to Hamas and other extremist groups carrying out attacks on US targets.
One of the biggest concerns is that Hamas could carry out attacks on US targets in the United States. In the past, Hamas has claimed responsibility for attacks on US targets overseas, including the 2009 Fort Hood shooting and the 2015 San Bernardino shooting.
US officials are also concerned that US citizens could be caught up in the violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip. For example, US citizens could be injured or killed by rocket attacks or airstrikes. US citizens could also be targeted by anti-American sentiment in the region.
The FBI is urging US citizens to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. US citizens should also be careful about what information they share online, especially if it could identify them as a US citizen.
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