Western intelligence agencies have played a significant role in preventing at least 10 jihadist attacks from being carried out across Europe in the past year, according to a report by the Dutch intelligence agency AIVD. The threat of further attacks has escalated due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as other incidents inciting Muslim outrage, the report revealed.
The AIVD’s annual report highlights that disrupted attacks included plans for random stabbings and assaults on specific buildings and events. Despite the increased threat, the terrorism threat level in the UK remains at ‘substantial,’ while Sweden previously raised its alert after Koran burnings sparked threats from jihadists.
Last year, there were two main factors that mobilized jihadists: the destruction of Korans in the Netherlands and other European countries, and the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Koran burnings and related acts targeting the holy book of Islam sparked outrage among Muslims, triggering threats from jihadists. The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has also heightened the threat level.
Since the start of the war on October 7, Israel and Hamas have engaged in intense fighting, with gunmen from the Palestinian militant group attacking southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel responded with a military campaign, leading to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians, with thousands more feared buried under the rubble.
The AIVD did not disclose how many of the foiled jihadist attacks occurred after October 7. However, the Dutch anti-terrorism agency raised its threat level to ‘substantial,’ marking the first increase since 2019. The decision to raise the threat level was influenced by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In the UK, the current terrorism threat level stands at ‘substantial,’ but recent reports have raised concerns among Members of Parliament (MPs) about the need to elevate it to ‘severe.’ This consideration stems from an observed increase in extremist chatter, reaching its highest level since the terror attack in New York on September 11, 2001.
