Fears of chemical bomb attack in Europe during Passover

With many Israelis planning to head abroad for the upcoming Passover holiday, Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau fears an increased risk of Islamic State terror attacks in Western Europe as well as in India and Thailand.

Sources in the bureau told Channel 2 news that IS’s recent defeats in Iraq and Syria are causing many jihadists to return to their countries of origin.

A view of the Christmas market near the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtniskirche (Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church) in central Berlin on December 20, 2016, a day after a terror attack killed 12 and wounded dozens (AFP PHOTO/Tobias SCHWARZ)

These well-trained fighters could attempt to carry out attacks in a similar vein to the truck attack in Berlin on Christmas that killed 12 people, including Israeli Dalia Elyakim.

Officials particularly fear terrorists may attempt to carry out a chemical bomb attack against civilians, using widely available chemicals.

The bureau is expected to warn on Israelis traveling abroad to stay alert, especially in crowded locations, sources told Channel 2.

However the bureau is stressing that, at this stage, no new terror warning has been issued.