NBC News recently went with a report saying that right-wingers were using scare tactics to freak out Americans by voicing concerns that terrorists loyal to Hamas could strike in this country, and that our porous southern border significantly increased the danger. The story cited a statement issued by the FBI last week that said they had no information about a credible terrorist threat against the United States.

(See: NBC Says Conservatives Are 'Stoking Fears' of Terrorism Without Proof—Here's Your Proof)

That take was woefully misguided at the time, but it looks even worse in hindsight as FBI Director Christopher Wray admitted that there is a heightened danger after Hamas' unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7. He warned that Americans should be on guard and looking out for "lone wolf" attackers.

Speaking at the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual conference in San Diego on Saturday, Wray said:

“History has been witness to antisemitic and other forms of violent extremism for far too long,” he said, according to an FBI transcript. “We remain committed to continue confronting those threats.

“In this heightened environment, there’s no question we’re seeing an increase in reported threats, and we’ve got to be on the lookout, especially for lone actors who may take inspiration from recent events to commit violence of their own,” he added.

Wray's warning comes after former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal designated Friday a “Day of Jihad.” Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and most Western countries. Fortunately, no large-scale terror attacks were reported in the U.S. 

JUST IN: FBI Director Christopher Wray warns of terror attacks on United States soil in relation to the Hamas terror attacks on Israel.

Hopefully they will be taking a break from tracking down Trump supporters to confront this.

Wray said the FBI has seen a large increase in… pic.twitter.com/RFx7MKJq9U

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 15, 2023

Wray did not say the FBI had received any explicit warnings of imminent attacks but said that intelligence sharing would be crucial:

The FBI director did not divulge any specific domestic threats that the bureau may be grappling with directly stemming from the war but rather issued the broad warning.

He also implored law enforcement officials to keep up intelligence sharing and collaboration.

“I’d also ask you to continue sharing any intelligence or observations you may have,” Wray said. “On our end, we’re committed to doing the same, so that together, we can safeguard our communities.”

More than 1,300 Israelis and 2,400 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict so far. Israel has signaled that it intends to prosecute the war vigorously, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the front lines Saturday to declare that things were about to ramp up:

"With our fighters in the Gaza Strip, on the front line," Netanyahu posted on X. "We are all ready." 

In a video shared in the post, Netanyahu asks troops, "Are you ready for the next stage?"

"The next stage is coming," he says, without stating what the next stage of Israel's conflict with Hamas is.

Americans are already on edge since the war broke out in the Middle East. Wray's message is a sobering reminder of the very real dangers we face.