From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Under pressure in Gaza, Hamas looking to attack Jews, Israelis abroad, warns NSC
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Hamas is expected to ramp up its efforts to attack Jewish and Israeli targets abroad, the National Security Council says in a new threat assessment and travel warning issued ahead of the Passover holiday.
“The group’s deteriorating situation in Gaza and the resumption of fighting are expected to further increase its attempts to conduct attacks,” says the NSC.
In December 2023, Hamas cells in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands were arrested on suspicion of plotting to attack Jewish targets in Europe. The following April, Bulgarian police uncovered a stash of weapons linked to four suspected Hamas members arrested in Germany and the Netherlands.
The NSC points to Iran as the main backer of global terrorism targeting Jews and Israelis.
In October, the Swedish intelligence agency Sapo said that Iran may have been involved in recent explosions and gunfire around Israeli embassies in Sweden and Denmark.
In May of last year, Sapo said that Iran was recruiting members of Swedish criminal gangs to commit “acts of violence” against Israeli and other interests in Sweden — a claim Iran denied.
“Additionally, Iranian terror operatives have continued attempts to lure Israeli citizens — both domestically and abroad — through deceptive business offers or impersonation, aiming to harm or abduct them,” says the NSC.
ISIS and global jihadist organizations are increasing their operations in Europe, says the NSC, raising the risk of lone wolf attacks. The warning also notes arson attacks and an attempted car bombing in Australia, and a rash of Molotov cocktail and shooting attacks at Jewish institutions in Canada.
“The climate of hate against Israelis and Jews due to the ongoing war continues to fuel terrorist efforts, both from organized cells and individual attackers,” according to the NSC.
“The potential expansion of war zones” — a possible reference to the growing IDF operation in Gaza — could further increase the motivation of terrorists and others to attack Israelis abroad, says the assessment.
The NSC warns that the Sinai Peninsula, a popular tourism destination for Israelis, remains a “high-risk area,” and that Israelis should not visit.
The warning urges Israelis to exercise caution when traveling abroad and to check NSC travel recommendations before flying.
The Times of Israel Community.