WASHINGTON – The U.S. has seen a “sobering” increase in domestic terrorism-related threats since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, according to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
The threats have forced law enforcement to be on full alert just three days before Christmas after the FBI reported the most challenging threat environment since 9/11.
Monaco told ABC News this week that many threats or tips received by law enforcement have been “resolved without incident.” However, the vast amount of threats have caused “a lot of strain” on U.S. law enforcement.
“These are threats, they’re hoaxes, they can involve claims of terrorist financing,” Monaco said of the reports being probed. “So that is the volume — the significant uptick in the volume and frequency of the types of reports we’re getting.”
The bureau now has more than 100 investigations currently opened in some way tied to the conflict, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to Monaco.
The World Health Organization told U.S. officials that because of the ongoing war, there are no functional hospitals left in North Gaza due to the lack of fuel, staff and supplies.
In response, the United Nations Security Council is expected to vote Friday to call for a suspension of fighting and to facilitate humanitarian aid into the warzone.
Trucks with food, water and medical supplies were able to cross into Gaza on Friday, but the WHO says it is not nearly enough and only a ceasefire would allow them to deliver the additional supplies.