The Israel-Hamas war has continued to spark fears over hostilities spilling outside of the region and reaching as far as the United States and other Western nations. Even as the two sides are set to abide by a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the release of hostages, there are still concerns about how the conflict might stretch beyond Middle Eastern boundaries.

The car explosion in New York, which some have suggested is a terrorist attack, might go far in illustrating why people would be right to be concerned. On Wednesday, Middle East expert Walid Phares chimed in on the overall battle between Hamas and Israel and suggested that we should take a broader view of what is happening in the Middle East, warning that terrorist groups like Hamas do not only view Israel as their enemy.

If you are Christian, a member of another religion or even participate in your local Rotary club or the Lions, Hamas also considers you an enemy, too.

"Hamas is using Gaza as an umbrella to be legitimate," says author and Middle East expert Walid Phares. "The reality is this is a jihadist movement, and it is manifesting itself in America and Canada, and in Western Europe. We have never been at this level of danger for our democratic world."

Phares went on to note that Israel has served as a buffer between Hamas and the rest of the world but pointed out that the group, along with others, also has its eyes set on the U.S.

"Israel is just a thick skin though the rest of the international community that happens to be blocking them," says Phares, who has written the new book, "Iran, An Imperialistic Republic and U.S. Policy," that explains how Tehran's proxies, like Hamas, spread their message of hate.

"They know our society very well. They are here," he said.

Phares' assessment is correct. The past two decades have shown that Israel is not the only target for radical extremists. In its charter, Hamas points to Christians as an enemy and even mentions America and charitable organizations like Rotary and Lions clubs, portraying them as part of a conspiracy to undermine societies and further Zionist interests.

The fact that Hamas has acted as a proxy for Iran further highlights the potential threat the organization could pose to national security.

Iran, despite having a complicated history with Hamas, is one of the group’s primary backers. Since the group’s inception, Tehran has supported it with funding, military training, and weapons. It is part of the country’s broader geopolitical and ideological objectives.

Earlier this month, FBI Director Christopher Wray urged that Americans be vigilant in the face of these potential threats and explained that the Bureau has opened “multiple investigations into individuals” who are affiliated with Hamas.

As of this writing, it has not been verified whether the explosion was the act of terrorists. Currently, there has been conflicting information on the matter. Still, if it is confirmed to be a terrorist attack, then it will prove Phares' warning is apt. But either way, given what we have seen since the start of the Israel-Hamas war and over the past 20 years, concerns about terrorists carrying out assaults on American soil are well founded.