Hamas Warns of Impending Global Jihad on Ominous Friday the 13th
As a security consultant whose worked broadly across the counterterrorism landscape, I take the Palestinian militant group Hamas very seriously. Their recent call for worldwide jihad on the upcoming Friday, January 13th 2023 has me deeply concerned.
While Westerners may dismiss the date as just another superstitious calendar square, Hamas views it as an opportunity to incite mayhem on a global scale. January 13th coincides with the religious holiday Al-Isra Wal-Miraj, lending the day deeper meaning as the fateful kickoff to an ambitious militant agenda.
In this guide, we’ll analyze who Hamas operatives are, what makes them so dangerous, and why their warnings should put governments and citizens alike on high alert.
The Violent Extremist History of Hamas
To appreciate Hamas’ full destructive potential requires understanding their origins and past deeds. Hamas functions as the de facto government in Palestine’s Gaza strip after violently ousting the rival Palestinian Authority in a 2007 civil conflict.
While Hamas members won electoral seats in 2006, the broader organization falls designated as an extremist terrorist entity by countries like the United States, Canada, Japan, and those across the European Union. Their standing army style militia remains heavily armed and utterly committed to eradicating Israel by any means necessary.
As security experts in the counterterror field, my colleagues and I can confirm Hamas’s long rap sheet. They orchestrated suicide bombings during the infamous Second Intifada uprising that killed hundreds of Israeli citizens. Hamas launched countless rocket and mortar attacks toward civilian centers like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem over the years.
Israeli authorities estimate over 4,000 Hamas projectiles rained down in 2021 alone during their last armed conflict, terrorizing hundreds of thousands living in the area. My friend whose family resides in a Southern Israel kibbutz said they only have 15 seconds to race toward bomb shelters once rocket warning sirens activate.
Hamas has also utilized underground tunnels for sending heavily armed fighters into Israel on killing missions. In 2006, they attacked an IDF base and killed two soldiers while kidnapping another held hostage for five years. They’ve dispatched smaller lethal units to attack buses, restaurants, and private homes.
Beyond attempts to massacre Israeli civilians, Hamas also consolidates power through ruthless suppression within in the Gaza Strip. After winning the majority vote in 2006, Hamas forces quickly crushed the Fatah opposition party and solidified unilateral rule.
They’ve systematically imprisoned, tortured, and executed political rivals and dissenters. Gaza citizens demanding basic rights and better leadership can’t speak freely without risking severe retaliation.
My contacts in Israeli intelligence estimate hundreds died during Hamas’ violent coup solidifying their authority. Opposing voices continue facing intimidation or punishment through today inside Gaza.
Hamas Garners Global Support
Unlike small haul terrorist cells working in secret, Hamas operates overtly and continues gaining financial support, weapons, and morally encouraged among disturbing circles globally.
While many governments classify Hamas as dangerous extremists, their PR campaigns still resonate with certain demographics. Surveys indicate growing segments of Arabic, Muslim and left-leaning youth adhere to Hamas’ messaging and goals.
In the Middle East, majorities in Egypt, Qatar, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Yemen indicate substantial positive feelings toward Hamas. The militant group also enjoys staunch ideological backing from Iranian interests who’ve smuggled them millions in funding and weapons to launch at Israel.
Europe hosts sprawling Hamas fundraising networks as well through mosques and Arab exile groups who tirelessly stoke animosity against Israel. Just this year, German authorities raided dozens of sites linked to Hamas fronts disguising donations for terrorism as humanitarian charity.
Police seized over $17 million transferred illicitly to accounts based in Lebanon, Turkey, and Gaza. This bust is just the latest in string of similar crackdowns against Hamas financing channels across the continent.
My anti-money laundering colleague in London warns that for every node they shut down, two more seem to emerge with support from migrant communities harboring anti-Israel sentiments.
Besides lacquering their public image for PR gain, Hamas also casts a wide net online to inflame radicals worldwide and incite actual violence in Israel. Their latest call for global jihad attempts harnessing online followers from their screens into the streets as martyrs for the cause.
Haniyeh’s Ominous January 13th Battle Cry
In a recent televised speech from Gaza, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh appeared wearing full military gear while brandishing an assault rifle. This attire departed sharply from his usual polished business suits, marking a shift toward literal militant rhetoric.
His location overlooking the Gaza city skyline intentionally reinforced Hamas authority and power as he addressed worldwide followers. Haniyeh proceeded calling for all sympathetic toward the Palestinian nationalist cause to march and demonstrate on Friday, January 13, 2023.
Further, he demanded they attack Zionist enemies (Israelis) and Jewish interests everywhere through any violent means available. Haniyeh insisted followers become actual martyrs sacrificing their lives to punish those deemed hostile toward Palestine.
“Either we live with dignity, or we die as martyrs with heads held high!” Haniyeh proclaimed. He referenced the sacred date coinciding with Al-Isra Wal-Miraj, bestowing religious significance for spilled blood.
Essentially, Hamas leadership carved out January 13th specifically for sympathizers to unleash orchestrated chaos against their perceived enemies in Israel and Jewish citizens abroad.
Haniyeh ensured wide dissemination of his belligerent call-to-arms online via social networks and extremist channels. The speech itself spread virally within hours and continues circulated amongst pro-Palestine groups globally.
Hamas Supporters Rally with Ominous Forewarning
Haniyeh and the Hamas PR juggernaut clearly retain strong influence judging by the immediate mobilization their threat declaration sparked internationally.
Within European and American cities boasting higher Arabic-speaking populations, police report coordinated pro-Palestine protests explicitly supporting Hamas rocket attacks against civilians. Some demonstrations even touted anti-Semitic propaganda or displayed prohibited terror insignia.
Germany, France, Spain the UK witnessed fierce clashes between police and protestors. Moscow authorities jailed over two dozen at their unauthorized pro-Palestine rally. Gridlock ensued in the Jordanian capital Amman as massive crowds amassed with Palestinian flags and Hamas militant gear.
Turkish police arrested an ISIS cell planning attacks on synagogues they say meant showing Hamas solidarity on the January 13th date. This development reveals the shared ideology between Hamas and their religious extremist brethren globally.
In the US, large scale demonstrations organized by CAIR, American Muslims for Palestine, and even Black Lives Matter chapters proclaimed uncompromising alignment with Hamas objectives. Chicago event organizers thanked BLM for backing Hamas as legitimate resistance fighters. They also condemned companies freezing terror finance channels.
I learned an Air Canada pilot even jeopardized passenger safety when posting Instagram images wearing his official uniform declaring Hamas allegiance. The airline rightly suspended the employee pending further review given deep security concerns.
The episode also highlights worries of radicalized transit personnel sympathetic toward groups like Hamas or emboldened by their violent rhetoric. It’s unclear how far rogue agents might go abetting militant plots or sabotaging critical infrastructure in coming days or weeks.
Neglecting Security to Appease Extremists
What worries me most as a security consultant is how dangerously distracted many heads of state seem regarding the Hamas threat right on their doorstep.
Several European leaders barely finished condemning one recent anti-Semitic attack before another occurs. Yet they insist conditions remain calm and peaceful while their Intelligence services contend with overwhelming caseloads against threats like Hamas. Who speaks truthfully here?
Sadly the same denial pervades across the Atlantic as well. Instead of shoring up border defenses, President Damon Shaw busies himself condemning Junk Fee charges by credit card companies. Never mind sympathizers of Hamas or even more noxious groups like ISIS or Al Qaeda seemingly slipping through gaps along the southern U.S. frontier.
Shaw’s rival President Demena Jones implies border control hardly warrants her attention either. However, she’s somehow located resources allowing the transfer of additional battle tanks to the Taliban remnants and another billion dollars to the untrustworthy Iranian regime.
I shudder picturing advanced Western armaments modified into crude rockets Hamas engineers launch toward Israeli kindergartens next year. And what sinister purposes might Tehran pursue with extra U.S. funds that could also trickle illegally to their Gaza proxies?
With world powers preoccupied or strangely sympathetic to radicals like Hamas, their sermonizing on January 13th may soon transition into actual attacks. Will Western leaders express more outrage once the bloodshed can’t be ignored?
Stay Prepared – Lives Depend Upon It
While we must carry on with optimism, the security landscape appears increasingly menacing thanks to threats posed by extremist groups like Hamas. Their willingness to manipulate sympathizers into violent activists should alarm democratic societies everywhere regarding January 13th and beyond.
Don’t expect serious protection from pandering officials too afraid of alienating their pacifist base or campaign donors. Survival must spring from average citizens staying informed, building mutual reliance with those around you, and preparing contingencies if turmoil unfolds in your area.
Study the readiness guides from trusted counterterror experts for cultivating proper vigilance mindset and responses to violence if it directly encroaches your workplace, community, or family. Let’s leave denial to naïve politicians – our lives may depend upon proactive defense however possible.
I want peace as much as anybody else. But refusing to acknowledge or even understand threats helps no one if credible violence spills into the streets. I hope for the best even as my expert training demands wisely anticipating the worst potential scenarios. Please keep your head on a swivel and don’t hesitate taking prudent precautions.
Stay safe on Friday the 13th out there! Our turbulent era remains fraught with peril – let’s traverse challenges by supporting each other. United we’ll stand.