FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of an increased threat of terrorism stemming from the Israel-Hamas war, saying at a hearing Tuesday that the FBI was working around the clock to prevent potential attacks inspired by Hamas.
“Given the steady drumbeat of calls for attacks by foreign terrorist organizations since Oct. 7, we’re working around the clock to identify and disrupt potential attacks by those inspired by Hamas’s horrific terrorist attacks in Israel,” Wray said in an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Wray has warned of a heightened threat environment in the U.S. since October, reiterating the war has increased an already high threat level.
“It’s certainly higher than it has been in a long, long time. … Post-Oct. 7, you’ve seen a veritable rogues gallery of foreign terrorist organizations calling for attacks against us,” Wray said, noting the day Hamas launched attacks against Israel.
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“The threat level has gone to a whole ‘nother level since Oct. 7,” he said.
Wray also noted that the attacks have led to a surge in reported hate crimes in the U.S. with the bulk targeting Jews.
“We’ve been opening I think 60 percent more hate crimes investigations post-Oct. 7, then compared to the comparable period pre-Oct. 7,” Wray said during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, referring to when Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel.
The FBI director said “the biggest chunk of those are threats against the Jewish community, but there are of course attacks … against others as well,” he said, pointing to attacks against Muslim targets.