FBI Director Christopher Wray stated during a congressional hearing that the recent attack by Hamas on Israel is likely to inspire the most significant terror threat to the United States since the rise of ISIS nearly a decade ago. He mentioned that multiple foreign terrorist organizations have called for attacks against Americans and the West since the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza, increasing the threat from homegrown U.S. violent extremists. Wray compared the inspirational impact of Hamas and its allies to that of ISIS when it established its self-proclaimed caliphate several years ago.
This testimony was given at a hearing before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where officials discussed various threats to the United States, including an increase in threats against Jews, Muslims, and Arab-Americans. Wray also highlighted a rise in attacks on U.S. military bases overseas by Iran-backed militia groups and the potential for cyber attacks against the United States by Iran and non-state actors if the conflict in the region escalates.
The White House expressed concern about reports of anti-Jewish incidents at U.S. universities, leading to tightened security measures. During the hearing, Senator Josh Hawley questioned Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about the status of a U.S. asylum officer who had allegedly made anti-Israel social media posts, and Mayorkas condemned the posts while emphasizing that they do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security employees.
Additionally, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that he had directed the Justice Department to assist Israeli investigators in probing financial flows to Hamas, including those involving cryptocurrency, at a ransomware summit organized by the White House.
