Israel-Gaza war behind surge in Islamist activity, says UK counter-terror head

Britain faces dangerous climate' as online propaganda and referrals to Prevent surge, says policing leader

The conflict in the Middle East has led to a surge in Islamist activity, with online terrorist propaganda rocketing and new individuals feared to have been radicalised, the head of counter-terrorism policing has said.

Metropolitan police assistant commissioner Matt Jukes, who is head of the UK Counter Terrorism Policing network, said the events had led to a dangerous climate" with indications of a rising threat, after Hamas's atrocity against Israel on 7 October last year led to a sustained Israeli assault on Gaza with heavy civilian casualties still continuing.