The 2024 address delivered by the primary spokesperson for IS urged followers to deliberately target individuals of Jewish and Christian faiths, encouraging supporters to “eliminate them in the most brutal ways possible.”
The speech was designed to ignite the passions of sympathizers to commit acts of terror within their own nations, endorsing a variety of tactics. It suggested attackers “detonate explosives and fire bullets” as part of their campaign.
Reports also indicated that improvised explosive devices were hurled into a celebratory event prior to a shooting spree, but these devices did not detonate as intended.
Analysts noted that several elements of the assault were consistent with the instructions in the IS address, which urged adherents to “select uncomplicated targets.”
The message explicitly conveyed that its targeting guidance was crafted to align with the strategic and ideological objectives of the movement, according to the analysts.
The directive advised followers to “focus on synagogues and churches rather than military installations and to execute bold and courageous operations against Jewish and Christian assemblies and communities globally, particularly in European countries associated with the Crusades,” as highlighted in the report.
The authors believe the Bondi Massacre is a consequence of IS’ plans for resurgence in the aftermath of the war in Gaza, saying the group wanted to “remobilise its transnational support.”
“[It] took care to not let the Israel-Palestine conflict overshadow the movement’s global revolutionary goals and wider range of enemies,” they said, saying the group wanted to renew attacks in the West, with a greater emphasis on attacking Jewish targets.
The pair also travelled to the Philippines in November just before the attacks, which is alleged to have been done in their preparations for the attack.
An article in one of the organisation’s publications also acknowledged the attack, saying the Akram’s allegedly “answered the call and carried out the recommendations to target holidays and gatherings.”
“They armed themselves with the Prophetic methodology and set off without looking back, plunging unarmoured into the Hanukkah celebration and turning it into a scene of mourning,” the article said.
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