Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 27 September 2024

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.

Terror groups intensify efforts to target Israelis, Jews traveling abroad ahead of Oct 7, NSC warns

The Israeli National Security Council has issued a message updating the public about terrorism threats.  

Ynetnews reports:

The National Security Council (NSC) issued on Wednesday a public update on terror threats targeting Israelis and Jews traveling abroad ahead of upcoming High Holiday season, warning of heightened efforts to harm Israelis or Jews on October 7, marking the anniversary of Hamas’ deadly terror attack.

Review the complete text of the message here on the NSC website.

Analyst Comments:

Person of the Jewish faith, in the homeland or abroad, are cautioned to remain vigilant especially around places of worship where mass gatherings occur.

Some of the items from the Israeli National Security Council that may be especially relevant are below:

• Recently (August 29), Daesh, on behalf of its leadership, once more encouraged its followers to carry out attacks in Europe in response to the war in Gaza. It stressed the need to focus on Christian and Jewish targets, including synagogues. Meanwhile, Global Jihad factions (specifically Daesh and al Qaeda) continue their efforts to attack various targets around the world.
• The growing threat and increase in terrorist activity against Israelis and Jews abroad is reflected in dozens of foiled attempted attacks targeting Israelis and Jews abroad (it has been made public that Iranian terrorist attacks against Israelis in Peru, France, Germany and Greece were thwarted) alongside several successful attacks, including those that took human life.
• In addition to the increased terrorism threat, there has been a significant increase in hate crimes perpetrated against Jews and Israelis around the world. In 2024, there were many dozens of incidents in which Jews/Israelis were violently attacked, including incidents involving cold weapons, car-ramming attempts and even rape (France, June 2024).
• We expect October 7, 2024, (the one-year anniversary of the Swords of Iron War) to be a significant date for terrorist organizations (and in particular Hamas and Global Jihad factions). Around that time, efforts to carry out attacks against Israeli/Jewish targets abroad are expected to intensify, both in planned attacks and in local initiatives or lone-wolf attacks.
• To conclude, the high motivation among terrorist organizations (Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, Global Jihad) alongside the anti-Israeli, anti-Jew hate-filled atmosphere in many countries since the beginning of the war, significantly increase the likelihood of lone-wolf assailants, grassroots organizations or organized terrorist groups carrying out attacks against Israelis/Jews abroad.

Hurricane and Tropical Storm Updates

NWS: Helene Continues to Bring Catastrophic and Life-Threatening Extreme Rainfall and Flooding Threats, and Strong Winds to the Southeast. Helene will continue to bring catastrophic and life-threatening extreme rainfall and flooding threats through at least midday for the southern Appalachians where upslope flow should increase rain totals and varying terrain is likely to lead to landslides. Tornadoes will be most likely during the morning and remain possible into the afternoon across parts of the Carolinas and southern Virginia Read More

• Key Messages regarding Tropical Storm Helene
• NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on TS Helene and Hurricane Isaac
• NHC issuing advisories for the Eastern Pacific on TS John
• Marine warnings are in effect for the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific
• Hurricane Helene live updates: at least 10 people killed as ‘life-threatening’ conditions batter south-east US
• Deadly Helene moves north with serious Carolinas flooding, power outages in Florida
• Helene sparking inland flooding disaster, widespread power outages in Southeast
• More than 3.2 million customers have lost power across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and southern Virginia
• Helene Brings Record Storm Surge to Florida
• Local info on Hurricane Helene: Key West, Miami, Melbourne, Tampa Bay Area, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Birmingham, Atlanta, Knoxville,Greenville-Spartanburg, Columbia, Charleston, Wilmington
• Hurricane Isaac Public Advisory. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
• Hurricane John returns, projected to make landfall south of Manzanillo
• Key Messages regarding Tropical Storm John