In a joint effort, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Counterterrorism Center have issued a public service announcement, raising concerns about the potential for "lone actor violence" during the holiday season and other events. The warning comes amidst heightened tensions resulting from the Israel-Hamas war. While no specific plot has been identified, the federal agencies have noted that various foreign terrorist media organizations have called for lone actor attacks in the United States.

The FBI and DHS emphasized that holidays, New Year's Eve events, and public protests are particularly attractive targets for those seeking to cause harm. The memo explicitly states that these gatherings could become convenient targets for individuals inspired to commit violence against Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Arab communities. It further highlights that hate crime perpetrators have also played a role in acts of violence and threats of violence.

The agencies pointed out that the United States has experienced a notable increase in hate crimes and other acts of violence since the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis. The Jewish state responded by launching a military campaign in Gaza. Alongside the rise in hate crimes, hoax bomb threats and active shooter threats against synagogues have also increased, according to the federal agencies.

The public service announcement stresses that calls for violence are expected to escalate in the days leading up to the holidays and before other notable events this winter. Factors such as escalating conflicts between Israel and Hamas and instances of violence within the country could further exacerbate the threat, potentially inspiring copycat or retaliatory attacks. As a result, the FBI and DHS urge the public to remain vigilant and report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement.

The FBI has confirmed the spike in hate crimes nationwide since the Hamas attack on Israel in October. In response to ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, the FBI and DHS are cautioning the public about increased threats to public safety during the holiday season and throughout winter. The FBI has expressed its commitment to closely monitoring these threats and working closely with law enforcement partners to assess their credibility and take appropriate investigative action.

According to the assessment by the FBI and DHS, the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict are likely to heighten the risk of lone actor violence targeting large public gatherings, including holiday-related, faith-based, New Year's Eve, and First Amendment protected events related to the conflict. The accessibility and symbolic nature of these events make them attractive targets for individuals inspired by a range of ideologies.

The FBI's announcement also highlights that terrorist media organizations have called for lone actor attacks in the United States, while racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists have advocated for violence and celebrated attacks on the Jewish community. Furthermore, the agencies have observed an increase in hoax bomb and active shooter threats specifically targeting synagogues across the country. These threats are believed to be intended to disrupt religious services and intimidate congregants.

In light of these concerns, the FBI and DHS urge the public to remain cautious and report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement. The agencies emphasize that the safety and security of the public are of utmost importance, and they are committed to taking appropriate action to address and mitigate potential threats.