By Steve Neavling
Threats in the U.S. have been on the rise since Hamas attacked Israel a week ago, FBI Director Christopher Wray told reporters on a rare call Sunday.
“Here in the US, we cannot and do not discount the possibility that Hamas or other foreign terrorist organizations could exploit the conflict to call on their supporters to conduct attacks on our own soil,” Wray said, CNN reports.
Among those targeted were Jewish and Muslim institutions.
Wray’s comments come less than a week after the FBI and Homeland Security issued a public service announcement and a bulletin to law enforcement agencies about the possibility of threats stemming from the fighting in Israel.
As the threats continue to rise, the FBI is meeting with leaders in Jewish and Muslim communities.
Wray also said he was “horrified … by the brutality committed at the hands of Hamas” and said combating terrorism is a priority.
“We will not tolerate violence motivated by hate and extremism,” he said.
Wray also said the bureau is working with Israeli and U.S. Embassy partners “to locate and identify all Americans who’ve been impacted in the region, including those who remain unaccounted for.”
Fifteen Americans are among those who have still not been accounted for following the attacks.
