In a rare public statement, the heads of French and German intelligence agencies have issued warnings about the rising threat of “lone wolves” radicalized by the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Security officials in Germany and France are concerned about terrorist attacks during the Christmas and Jewish Hanukkah holidays, particularly by individuals they refer to as “lone wolves” who have been incited by the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Thomas Haldenwang, the head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, stated in a press release that the danger is very real and greater than it has been in a long time.
Officials have noted that the support that Hamas is currently receiving from terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS is a significant factor in increasing the level of threat.
Nicolas Lerner, the head of France’s domestic intelligence agency, in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, pointed out that ISIS, despite its inherent aversion to national issues, such as the Palestinian cause, is now strongly advocating solidarity with “Palestinian brothers.”
Europe has been on alert for violence since Hamas launched its bloody campaign on October 7th, prompting Israel’s airstrikes and invasion of Gaza.
The indirect consequences of conflicts in the Middle East have often had an impact on Europe, especially in countries with significant Muslim and Jewish populations, such as France and Germany, according to a report in the British Financial Times.
In an unusual six-page public statement released last week, Thomas Haldenwang, the head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, expressed concern that the threat of extremist attacks in Germany has been growing for a long time, but the unprecedented way in which Al-Qaeda and ISIS are handling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has given rise to a “new form” of threat.
Meanwhile, many images on social media depicting the Gaza war have elicited an “extremely emotional response” from young people, some of whom have become more receptive to the violent messages of terrorist groups.
Haldenwang noted that this could lead some individuals to radicalize and take it upon themselves to carry out attacks on soft targets using primitive means.
Europe has already witnessed an increase in attacks since the recent Hamas assault. A 20-year-old Chechen-origin man fatally stabbed a teacher at a high school in Aras, northern France, on October 13th. Three days after the incident, a Tunisian man shot and killed two Swedish football fans in Brussels.
On December 3rd, a German tourist was killed near the Eiffel Tower in a deadly knife and hammer attack carried out by a 26-year-old Frenchman of Iranian descent who had previously spent four years in prison for planning a terrorist attack.
The recent attack has shed light on the sensitive issue of what to do with convicted terrorists who are eligible for release.
In France, for example, around 380 prisoners have been released since 2018, and a group of 35 is expected to be released next year.
In light of these concerns, European officials are intensifying security measures during the holiday season to ensure the safety of their citizens and to prevent potential terrorist threats.
Public awareness campaigns and increased vigilance in public places are among the strategies being employed to mitigate the risk of lone-wolf attacks.
For more information and updates on this developing situation, stay tuned to reputable news sources and government advisories. Your safety is our top priority during this holiday season.
