Calls for Targeting U.S. and Israeli Interests by Al-Qaeda Affiliates and Hezbollah

According to an intelligence bulletin reviewed by CBS News, Al-Qaeda affiliates and Hezbollah are urging their supporters to target U.S. and Israeli interests amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and President Biden’s visit to the region. Although officials have stated that there is no specific or credible threat, the two-page “situational awareness alert” issued by the New York Counterterrorism Bureau highlights the increased threat environment. The alert specifically mentions the call by al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent (AQIS) to attack American, British, and French nationals and interests due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. It also notes Hezbollah’s call for a “day of unprecedented anger” against Israel and the U.S. during President Biden’s visit to Israel.

The intelligence bulletin also addresses the recent explosion at al-Ahli al-Mamdani Hospital in Gaza City. While the assessment does not attribute responsibility for the blast, it predicts that the incident will be exploited by violent extremists to incite further violence, particularly through online propaganda. The assessment warns that this may provoke acts of retaliation and violence from supporters.

The explosion at the hospital has been a subject of contention, with Israelis and Palestinians blaming each other. President Biden, however, stated on Wednesday that data from the Defense Department indicated that Israel was not responsible for the incident. Despite this, the assessment anticipates that the explosion will continue to generate public backlash and organized responses, necessitating heightened situational awareness at Israeli government locations and interests in New York.

In response to the escalating tensions, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has instructed all officers to report in full uniform until further notice. Additionally, the department has postponed all departmental training as a precautionary measure. While the NYPD emphasized that there are currently no specific, credible threats to New York City, it acknowledged that tensions have been rising since the assault on Israel on October 7. The NYPD expressed its commitment to preventing future violence in the city, but acknowledged the challenge posed by potential domestic reactions to ongoing events overseas.

A State Department diplomatic security cable circulated on Wednesday also revealed that all U.S. diplomatic posts are required to convene their Emergency Action Committees (EACs). This step indicates the increasingly volatile threat environment both domestically and at U.S. operations overseas. The cable specifically directs regional security officers and EAC personnel to assess vulnerable locations and security measures provided by host nations. All EACs are required to confirm that the necessary reviews have been conducted and completed.

These developments underscore the significance of the current threat landscape and the need for heightened vigilance. As tensions continue to escalate in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the potential for incitement and violent acts remains a concern for security agencies both in the United States and abroad. Efforts to anticipate and prevent future violence are ongoing, but the unpredictable nature of domestic reactions to global events complicates these efforts.