An Egyptian man living in Virginia, Abdullah Azz al-Din Taha Muhammad Hassan, has been charged with planning an attack on the Israeli consulate in New York City. According to court documents, Hassan allegedly provided bomb-making instructions and attack plans to an undercover FBI source. He was arrested on Tuesday and is facing charges related to the distribution of information relating to explosives and weapons of mass destruction.
The FBI's New York Office issued a statement reassuring the Jewish community in New York of their vigilance in identifying and disrupting potential threats. They urged community members to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Hassan came to the attention of authorities after a tipster alerted police about his social media posts exhibiting radical and terrorist-leaning behavior.
Hassan engaged in conversations with an FBI confidential source, directing them on how to make a bomb, acquire weapons, and create a 'martyrdom video.' He allegedly selected the Consulate General of Israel as the target for the attack, expressing intentions to carry out a mass casualty event. Hassan also discussed potential escape plans, including booking flights to countries without extradition agreements with the United States.
Authorities revealed that Hassan instructed the source to either use an assault rifle to attack individuals at the consulate or detonate an explosive vest while in a group of targets. He also requested the attack to be livestreamed so he could watch it in real-time. Israel's Permanent Mission to the United Nations condemned the planned attack, emphasizing their commitment to combating terror and pursuing justice and peace.
Israel's Consul General in New York expressed gratitude to authorities for thwarting the alleged attack, highlighting the need for collective efforts in fighting terrorism. The incident serves as a reminder of the global threat posed by terrorism and the importance of unity among western democracies in combating such acts of violence.
