Israel-Hamas war: Al-Qaida and IS call on followers to attack Israeli, US and Jewish targets

Al-Qaida and Islamic State (IS) have asked their followers to target Israeli, US, and Jewish targets, raising the possibility of increased terrorist activity in the Middle East and the West. In recent statements made over the past two weeks, Al-Qaida affiliates expressed support for Hamas in light of what they referred to as the “invasion of Israel,” alluding to the terrorist attacks on October 7th that claimed the lives of approximately 1,400 people, primarily civilians. A recent statement from al-Shabaab, al-Qaida’s powerful affiliate in Somalia, asserted that the conflict in the Middle East is not limited to “the battle of the Islamic factions in the land of Palestine in particular, but rather the battle of the entire Muslim Ummah.” It further stated, “Muslims must gather and offer everything they can to support the mujahideen against the Jews and their hypocritical infidel allies. The strength of this nation lies in the strength of its jihadist fronts.” Similar statements have been issued by other al-Qaida affiliates in the Indian subcontinent, Yemen, and Syria. According to the Long War Journal, a news website specializing in Islamist violence, al-Qaida’s branches in north and west Africa praised the Hamas attacks on Israel and called for further violence against Jews, saying, “We congratulate your actions and urge you to continue, biting your teeth with patience on the path of jihad. They [the Palestinians] attacked the Jews… wanting to lift the sword of humiliation from their necks.” The war, in its 17th day Monday, is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 4,651 people have been killed and 14,254 wounded in the territory. In the occupied West Bank, 96 Palestinians have been killed and 1,650 wounded in violence and Israeli raids since Oct. 7. More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians who died in the initial Hamas rampage into southern Israel. In addition, 222 people including foreigners were believed captured by Hamas during the incursion and taken into Gaza, Israel’s military has said. Two of those have been released. With inputs from agency.