Federal and local law enforcement officials are warning the public to be hyper-vigilant after Hamas publicly urged supporters to take to the streets in a day of action in support of the terror attacks in Israel on Friday the 13th.
The call to action by Hamas was reported by the nonprofit group
Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), while
Reuters also reported Wednesday that the terrorist organization's former leader, Khaled Meshaal, called for application of "jihad," with "Day of Jihad" currently trending on X, formerly known as Twitter. The LAPD has since announced an uptick in patrols — especially in Jewish and Muslim communities — for Friday.
"The Los Angeles Police Department is aware of recent statements made calling for action as it relates to the conflict in the Middle East. We have no information of any specific or credible threats to the City of Los Angeles but we are continuing to assess the situation for any potential impact to our communities," the department said in a statement. "We are closely monitoring these events and are coordinating with Federal, State, and local partners on information sharing."
In a recorded message obtained by
Reuters, Meshaal called for protests across the Muslim world tomorrow in support of the terror attacks against Israel.
"[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday," Meshaal reportedly said. "To all scholars who teach jihad... to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories)."
Jihad is defined as "a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam," as well as "the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin."
According to MEMRI, "Hamas issued a statement designating the upcoming Friday, October 13, 2023, as a day of general mobilization for the 'Al-Aqsa Flood' operations. In the statement, it urged Palestinians in the West Bank and within Israel to participate in large-scale rallies and confront Israeli soldiers at every opportunity."
More specifically, the statement attributed to Hamas reads, "We declare next Friday, 'The Friday of the Al-Aqsa Flood,' as a day of general mobilization in our Arab and Islamic world and among the free people of the world. It is a day to rally support, offer aid, and participate actively. It is a day to expose the crimes of the occupation, isolate it, and foil all its aggressive schemes. It is a day to demonstrate our love for Palestine, Jerusalem, and Al-Aqsa. It is a day for sacrifice, heroism, and dedication, and to earn the honor of defending the first Qibla of Muslims, the third holiest mosque, and the ascension of the trusted Messenger."
"Day of Jihad" is currently trending on X, formerly known as Twitter. Jihad is defined as "a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam," as well as "the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin."
Additionally,
Reuters reported Wednesday that former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for protests across the Muslim world tomorrow.
"[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday," Meshaal reportedly said in a recorded statement. "To all scholars who teach jihad... to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories)."
Police officers across the country are quietly urging family members to stay home on Friday the 13th in text messages and phone calls. "Part of the problem is there is nothing specific," an LAPD detective told
Los Angeles. "But there is a lot of concern being felt in the department."
The increased police presence will be felt in L.A.'s Jewish and Muslim communities,
the department said. "We will be reaching out to our local Jewish and Muslim communities and will be providing extra patrol during this unimaginable time."
The Los Angeles Jewish community is the second largest in the nation, according to a
Brandeis University study.
Wednesday evening, LAPD Chief Michael Moore made a public statement in support of Israel and the Jewish community.
The
U.S. State Department declared Hamas a terrorist organization in 1997, and the
U.S. Director of National Intelligence puts its membership at between 20,000 and 25,000 members.
Among the dead in the bloody rampage carried out by Hamas in Israel were 27 U.S. citizens, and another 14 are still missing, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters during a White House briefing today.
The White House is organizing chartered flights as the
State Department issues travel warnings about the region, saying: "Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning."
