Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 15 December 2025

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

Poland arrests teen, alleging Christmas market attack plot

Polish authorities have arrested a 19-year-old university student on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack at a Christmas market, alleging he sought to carry out an explosives-based assault that could have caused mass casualties. The suspect, a student at the Catholic University in Lublin, was detained in November by Poland’s Internal Security Agency after investigators found he had been trying to procure materials and information for the attack and had attempted to contact the self-styled Islamic State group. Officials say they seized electronic devices and items linked to Islam during the arrest. A court has ordered him held in custody for three months while the investigation continues. Authorities did not disclose which city’s Christmas market was targeted, saying they wished to avoid causing public panic, and emphasized the arrest follows other recent thwarted plots in Poland.

Analyst Comments: The arrest reflects a familiar threat pattern across Europe, where young, self-radicalized individuals target crowded, symbolic public spaces such as Christmas markets because of their accessibility and potential for mass casualties. This case underscores the importance of early-stage intelligence detection, monitoring of online radicalization pathways, and preventive interventions ahead of major holidays, when threat actors may seek heightened visibility and impact. Overall, the incident reinforces the assessment that the primary risk remains isolated actors rather than coordinated cells, requiring sustained vigilance, intelligence sharing, and protective measures at large public events.

Kennewick church food pantry vandalized; community rallies to help

A church food pantry in Kennewick, Washington was recently vandalized when its doors were forced open, food items were smashed and scattered, and some debris was set on fire on a bench outside the First Christian Church’s pantry, which operates on a “take what you need, leave what you can” principle. Local police are investigating the burning and damage, which has prompted a strong community response, with many residents reaching out to offer help and support to clean up and restock the pantry. Parish leaders have also stressed the importance of accountability and encouraged neighborhood involvement in addressing the mischief.

Similarly, in Plano, Texas, a weekly food pantry run by the East Plano Islamic Center was disrupted by a small group of white nationalist and Christian nationalist protestors who shouted anti-Islamic slogans and attempted to block the distribution of food to community members. The protest was organized in advance on social media and, although enhanced security and police collaboration helped manage the situation, the demonstration interfered with the mosque’s efforts to serve free food to anyone in need, regardless of faith. Mosque leaders and supporters condemned the protest as divisive and harmful, emphasizing that their pantry serves the broader community and should not be targeted with hate.

Analyst Comments: Both incidents highlight the growing operational risk that vandalism or ideologically motivated protests pose to faith-based and community food assistance programs, particularly those operating in visible, easily accessible locations. Food pantries are designed to be low-barrier and welcoming, but that openness can make them vulnerable to disruption, property damage, or intimidation that directly affects service continuity and volunteer safety. Even when incidents do not escalate to physical violence, forced closures, cleanup requirements, or the need for police presence can strain already limited resources and deter clients from accessing aid. From a risk perspective, these cases underscore the need for basic protective measures such as situational awareness training for volunteers, coordination with local law enforcement, and contingency plans to maintain operations while balancing security needs with the mission to remain accessible to the broader community.

Weekly Security Sprint EP 139. Hostile events, holiday preparedness, and cybersecurity updates

The Gate 15 Security Sprint is a weekly rundown of the week’s notable all-hazards security news, risks and threats and some of the key focus areas for organizations to consider behind the headlines. Gate 15 team members discuss physical security, cybersecurity, natural hazards, health threats and other issues across our environment.

In this week’s Weekly Security Sprint Andy and Dave cover the following topics:

• Bondi Beach Hanukkah Attack:

• NYT Live Updates: Sydney Gunmen Were Motivated by ISIS, Australia’s Leader Says
• Gunmen kill at least 15 people in attack on Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach
• Join FB-ISAO. If you’re involved with a place of worship or charity, please make sure they’re plugged in!
• Gate 15’s Hostile Events Attack Cycle white paper
• Germany foils suspected Islamist car ramming plot targeting Christmas market
• ‘F*** the Jews’: Gunman fires 20 bullets into Jewish family’s hanukkah-decorated home in California
• Virginia mosque attacked, Muslim advocates call for hate crime charges

Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcasts (gate15.global).