A warning was updated on Tuesday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center that holiday events may be more vulnerable to violent activity this year due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

In an FBI statement the warning alerted that the Israel-Hamas war could heighten the risk of lone actor violence targeting large public gatherings related to holidays, religious activities, New Year’s Eve festivities, and events.

Authorities report that they do not possess concrete proof of premeditated attacks. Rather, they note that certain festivals could be attractive targets for isolated individuals due to their spiritual or emblematic elements. They point out that such occasions might provide a chance for a perpetrator to target Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or Arab groups.

According to the FBI, terrorist networks from abroad have issued appeals for strikes to be conducted in the U.S. in response to Hamas’ aggression against Israel that occurred on October 7th.

A sharp rise of reports from the general public concerning likely hate crimes and other violent acts, as well as false alarms regarding bomb and shooting threats at Jewish places of worship, have been observed all over the country.

The FBI has cautioned that the threat of attacks at holiday gatherings could possibly be greater if the dispute between Israel and Hamas escalates further. They have requested that citizens remain watchful and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.