Local and federal law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are stepping up patrols of Jewish houses of worship, schools, Jewish-owned businesses, and Israeli diplomatic buildings because of the potential for violence over the war between Israel and Hamas.
Former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal called for a global day of "anger" on Friday the 13th in support of the recent attack on Israel, which has left over 1,300 Israelis dead, NBC News reported.
While there have been no threats deemed credible by local law enforcement, cities across the country have ramped up police patrols as a precaution. Authorities are also monitoring increased threats online, though officials say none of them are specific or credible.
"Right now, we're concerned about the vulnerability of the Jewish community and the possibility of violence targeting the community," Oren Segal, the vice president of the ADL Center on Extremism, told NBC. "We're seeing how white supremacists online are glorifying what happened in Israel. We are also seeing organization on the left at rallies and other events who justify and celebrate that violence, as well."
In Chicago, the alert level is high around places of worship and schools in the metro area, as well as synagogues in the city, Evanston, Skokie and Highland Park. Earlier this week, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker addressed the potential for violence during a vigil for Israel and said that everyone should "remain vigilant."
Similar actions are taking place in multiple cities across Metro Detroit. Police departments say the community should not see the increased presence of marked patrol cars and uniformed officers as a reason for concern.
Law enforcement agencies are also increasing patrols in cities like New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Federal agencies are increasing their security as well.
The FBI said "we take seriously any tips or leads we receive regarding potential threats and investigate them rigorously."
The measures come as the fighting between Israel and Hamas is intensifying after the militant group, identified by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization, launched an unprecedented incursion over the weekend, killing over 1,300 people.
In retaliation, Israel launched attacks on Gaza, also killing over 1,000 Palestinians.