Following the Hamas lead attacks on Israel, which have pushed death counts into the thousands, United States defense agencies have shared they are monitoring the potential threat to the nation.
“While the FBI does not have specific and credible intelligence indicating a threat to the United States stemming from the Hamas attacks in Israel, we are closely monitoring unfolding events and will share relevant information w/our state, local, federal & [international] law enforcement, intelligence & homeland security partners,” the FBI shared in a statement on Tuesday.
The attacks began in a surprise fashion on Saturday and resulted in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring war on the terrorist group.
The US has said that it will back Israel in the conflict, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin saying Israel would have the support of the Pentagon in defending its nation.
“Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering,” Austin said. “Over the coming days, the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”
Austin also shared that the US was “closely monitoring developments in Israel.”
Several airlines have suspended travel to Tel Aviv. Among those to do so are United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines.
“Future operations at TLV will be suspended until conditions allow them to resume,” United said in a statement to CBS News.
The FBI shared that it will continue to monitor the situation and that it “will not hesitate to adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American people.”
“We are closely coordinating with our counterparts in the region as well as other international partners,” the FBI said.
So far, 11 US citizens have been killed in the violence, and the FBI said it is “working w/our partners on the ground to locate & identify any impacted Americans.”
“Reports of deceased, injured, or missing Americans are being treated with the utmost urgency and aggressively investigated,” the bureau said.
