Intelligence Report Reveals Doubling of Jihadi Attacks in Europe Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Rome: Jihadi terrorism has gained momentum since the start of the conflict between Hamas and Israel with terrorist organizations taking advantage of the Middle Eastern crisis to recruit new members, in particular youths, to carry out attacks which have doubled in 2024 in Europe compared to the previous year, according to the annual intelligence report to Parliament presented Tuesday.

According to Ansa News Agency, Italy continues to be a target of jihadi propaganda. The report indicated that “Jihadi terrorism has gained new life since the explosion of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the domino effect that has derived from it.” Terrorist groups like al Qaida and Daesh have used propaganda to recruit young people in Europe, especially those not directly linked to jihadi organizations, to execute attacks.

The report emphasized that the number of attacks in Europe in 2024, which have doubled compared to 2023, should be viewed within this context. Italy’s significance in the Christian world and its involvement in the global anti-Daesh Coalition have made it a focal point for jihadi propaganda. Italy is also seen as a potential target due to its pro-Israeli stance, with incidents like the arson attack on the US Consulate in Florence highlighting the risks.

Propaganda inciting attacks against Christian places of worship in Italy has been noted, with the internet playing a crucial role in recruiting and inciting violent acts. However, the threats are not exclusively from online sources. Citizens from Central Asia and North Caucasus with ties to ISIS-Khorasan have traveled to Italy and other European countries, often entering through Turkey and the Western Balkans.

The report also noted that 82 individuals deemed potential threats to Italy’s national security were expelled in 2024. Additionally, the report highlighted the rising threat from far-right supremacist groups, some of which have connections to jihadi organizations. There is an increasing number of radicalized young militants, including minors, and recent police operations show a shift of threats from online to offline, with interactions between supremacist and jihadi groups reported in Italy and other European countries.