Report: Dozens of Attacks on Israelis and Jews Abroad Thwarted at the Last Minute

Over the past year, Israeli security agencies have foiled attempts by Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran to carry out attacks against Israelis and Jews in several countries around the world, Israel’s Channel 12 News reported Monday.

According to the report, there were dozens of cases, including in Western countries. Some of the thwarted attacks had reached very advanced stages, just before they were set to be carried out. In some cases, Israeli security officials, at times working closely with their counterparts abroad, located the terror cells and arrested the attackers.

A security official said that terrorist organizations, acting under Iranian direction, have increased their efforts to carry out attacks abroad because of the relative difficulty of operating inside Israel. A senior official at the National Security Council addressed the growing threat, stressing: "The Iranians have significantly expanded the bodies and infrastructure intended to advance attacks abroad. From their perspective, this is a strategic worldview. Every year is a particularly dangerous period, but this year even more so."

It should be noted that the National Security Council warned yesterday that, ahead of the holiday season, concerns are growing over attempts to harm Israelis and Jews abroad. The council called on members of the public traveling overseas to be more aware of threats posed by terrorist elements in different parts of the world and to take preventive measures accordingly. The warning covers most countries around the world that Israelis are permitted to enter.