Al-Qaeda is threatening to capitalise on the unrest caused by Hamas by calling for attacks on Christians and Jewish people worldwide.
The terror group is reportedly targeting US embassies and military assets just days after the Palestine-based faction carried out attacks on Israel.
The message - posted on a known al-Qaeda blog and promoted by militants in Pakistan, suggests Hamas’s actions have inspired jihadists from across the Middle East.
It comes after a joint statement released online from the terror group’s branches in North and West Africa encouraged further violence against Jews.
Former Hamas Leader calls on Muslims to mobilise - WATCH
They congratulated Hamas’s actions in a sick message with particular note made of Hamas’s “patience”.
The terror attack has sparked all out warfare with Israel bombarding the heavily populated Gaza Strip in a bid to flush out the militants.
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Hamas also claim to have taken around 150 hostages from Israel into the enclave, threatening to take a life for each bomb that is dropped by their neighbour.
The war has claimed at least 2,800 lives on both sides since Hamas launched an incursion on October 7, with Israel placing the 25-mile Gaza Strip under siege and subjecting it to a torrent of retaliatory air strikes.
Hamas said Israel’s heavy bombardment killed 13 hostages, including foreigners, held by the group.
Three Britons are confirmed to have lost their lives during the weekend’s assault on Israel but reports have suggested at least 17 could be among the casualties.
Hamas' armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades hold a Palestinian flag as they destroy a tank of Israeli forces in Gaza CityGETTYRishi Sunak said: “We are working very closely with the Israeli authorities and in contact with families to provide all the possible support that we can.
“We are increasing our military teams across the region and making sure that we are doing everything we can to ensure the security of British citizens.”
He said the Royal Navy ships he has sent to the eastern Mediterranean — part of a package of military support for Israel announced before his trip to Sweden — would be able to provide humanitarian assistance to those caught up in the conflict.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels Lyme Bay and Argus have been deployed to the region, along with Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft and a company of Royal Marines.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has not ruled out Britain sending further assistance, saying London will provide “absolutely everything they need” in efforts to come to Israel’s “defence in their hour of need”.
Tel Aviv has said its complete barricade of Gaza would remain in place until some 150 hostages are freed, with Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant vowing to “topple” Hamas and “wipe out” the group’s military capabilities.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently on a whistle stop tour of the Middle East as he bids to ensure the tension does not spread across the region.
He spoke in Qatar on Friday and reasserted the Biden administration’s commitment to making sure an escalation does not happen.
Blinken is also set to appear in countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the latter of which were close to securing closer ties with Israel.
The conflict is said to have put a halt to those discussions, a development that comes as a blow for the US given their role in attempting to establish ties in the region.
