‘Day of Jihad’ Sparks Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories are flooding the internet as October 13 was designated a “Day of Jihad” or “Day of Rage” around the world by Hamas supporters.

On October 7, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in history. Israel subsequently launched its heaviest ever airstrikes on Gaza. At least 2,800 people have been killed on both sides, the Associated Press reported Friday.

As Israel appeared to be preparing for a ground offensive, roughly 1.1 million people in northern Gaza were ordered to evacuate as the Israel-Hamas fighting entered its seventh day Friday. Hamas urged residents to stay put.

Khaled Mashaal, the ex-Hamas leader who heads the militant group’s diaspora office in Qatar, this week advocated for Muslims globally to “head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday” as part of mass protests supporting Palestinians against Israel.

Protesters take part in an anti-Israeli demonstration at Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 13, 2023, amid the ongoing battle between Israel and militant group Hamas. Khaled Mashaal, an ex-Hamas leader, this week encouraged a “Day of Jihad” or “Day of Rage” to support Hamas and Palestinians. AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is “at war” and has cut off supplies of food, fuel, electricity and medicine into Gaza. Israel has called up 360,000 army reservists as it prepares for a likely ground offensive into the territory, which has an estimated population of around 2.3 million.

The calls by Hamas for protests have led to theories regarding NYPD Chief Edward Caban, who according to the New York Daily News was not at a City Hall briefing because he was visiting Qatar and it is “unclear what he’s doing there.”

Caban traveled unannounced to a conference in Qatar, where Mashaal is headquartered, last week and has not returned, according to the New York Post. He went to attend the two-day Arab Tourism Security Forum.

“Why is NYPD Commissioner in Qatar as department braces for possible unrest while Jihad threat came from there?” wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter.

“New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban is visiting/visited(?) Qatar after former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal [sic], who is based in Qatar, called for a day of rage tomorrow,” wrote another user. “Super normal stuff.”

The NYPD did not return comment regarding Caban and his whereabouts.

Other theories have been tied to the U.S.-Mexico border and “millions of migrants and potential terrorists flooding the U.S.,” as one X user described.

“If something happens on global jihad day…we should all be 100% positive that it was an engineered and orchestrated destabilizing event. Zero doubt,” the poster said.

“The only questions would be if our government was complicit/solely responsible, or if it was just an external force like Russia or Iran. Obviously if it was an inside job, they’d still claim it was an attack by a foreign nation to cover their a**, but it’d be war abroad regardless.”

Mass protests have occurred in places like Jordan and Baghdad, according to reports.

Police forces allegedly used tear gas against Jordanian protesters trying to break into the West Bank from Jordan.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad to protest Israel’s bombardment of targets in Gaza.

Various police departments across the United States have prepared for threats or violence, including the New York Police Department (NYPD).

“With large-scale protests planned for tomorrow, we must remain vigilant,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday. “New York City is the most diverse city in the world, and protecting our residents is the most sacred responsibility that we have.”

“The NYPD’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau deploys a wide array of resources to protect the city based on events unfolding here and around the world,” an NYPD spokesperson told Newsweek via email on Friday.

“This includes high-visibility resources like the Critical Response Command and Counterterrorism officers, as well as our Intelligence Division personnel. Given the situation unfolding in Israel, we have surged resources to sensitive locations out of an abundance of caution and to ensure that all New Yorkers stay safe.”

“The Chicago Police Department stands alongside all the innocent victims affected by this heartbreaking and horrific situation,” a spokesperson told Newsweek via email. “We are closely monitoring this situation alongside our local, state and federal partners and remain in constant communication.

“Though there is no actionable intelligence regarding any credible threats in Chicago at this time, CPD is paying special attention to synagogues and mosques so that all of our residents are safe. We also remain in close communication with community leaders and elected officials.”

Similar precautions are taking place in Washington, D.C., according to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police.

“Currently, there are no credible threats in the District of Columbia,” the spokesperson told Newsweek via email on Friday. “Out of an abundance of caution, MPD will have increased visibility around the city and at places of worship to help ensure the safety of our community.

“MPD has been in contact with multiple community partners throughout the past week and we remain in contact with them. We urge our community to remain vigilant and help our community stay safe.”

Aside from calling 911 for emergencies, the police urge anyone to report suspicious activity by calling the MPD’s Command Information Center at (202) 727-9099, texting 50411, or reporting online at iwatchdc.org

“As always, the Dallas Police Department constantly monitors and shares intelligence regarding any potential threats to events, groups or infrastructure in our city,” a spokesperson told Newsweek via email, adding that no local credible threats exist.

Dallas police increased visibility surrounding houses of worship.

On Friday in France, a teacher was killed and another teacher and security guard were injured in a stabbing. Witnesses at the scene said the male suspect in his 20s reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is greatest,” in the midst of the attack. The suspect is of Chechen origin and has ties to radical Islam, according to police.