Boulder, Colorado, became the scene of a violent incident on Sunday, as a man attacked a group of demonstrators with a makeshift flamethrower, injuring eight people. The FBI is investigating the event as a “targeted terror attack.”

The victims, four women and four men aged between 52 and 88, were participating in a “Run For Their Lives” event organized to raise awareness for Israeli captives held in Gaza. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly yelled, “Free Palestine,” during the assault, according to FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek.

Emergency services transported the injured to local hospitals, with initial reports indicating serious injuries. Soliman was taken into custody and also received hospital treatment for injuries sustained during the incident. While formal charges have not yet been announced, officials have stated their intention to hold him “fully accountable.”

Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn refrained from speculation but confirmed the victims’ injuries were consistent with having been set on fire. He emphasized the peaceful nature of the demonstration and condemned the attack as “unacceptable,” urging the community to focus on supporting the victims and their families.

The incident occurs amidst rising tensions in the United States related to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has fueled an increase in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents. The attack has drawn condemnation from Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who decried “hate-filled acts of any kind,” and from Boulder’s Jewish community, which expressed sadness and heartbreak.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the attack. Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher reported that witnesses described the suspect using what appeared to be Molotov cocktails. The FBI’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the incident and the potential for federal charges related to terrorism. The events in Boulder highlight the growing polarization and potential for violence surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the United States.

Reports from media outlets in Gaza indicate the death of Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, a physician, from wounds sustained during an Israeli airstrike last week. The strike targeted his family residence in Khan Younis, resulting in the death of nine of his ten children.

Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, Dr. al-Najjar’s wife, was previously photographed visiting her injured husband in the intensive care unit. She survived the attack as she was at work at the time. A widely circulated image last week depicted Dr. al-Najjar alongside his sole surviving child; at the time, he appeared physically unharmed. The cause of his death has not been independently verified.

The Israeli military previously stated that the airstrike targeted individuals identified by IDF forces operating in a structure near their position in Khan Younis, characterizing the area as a dangerous combat zone cleared of civilians for their protection. Claims of harm to non-combatants are currently under review.

Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), revealed the arrest of two individuals attempting to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia under the guise of participating in the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Speaking at a Ministerial Committee on Drug Use Control meeting, Marwa expressed concern over the recurring exploitation of religious travel by criminal networks. He cited a previous incident where individuals were deceived into unknowingly carrying cocaine concealed within luggage.

Despite resource limitations impacting the National Drug Control Master Plan (2021–2025), the NDLEA reaffirmed its dedication to combating drug trafficking and abuse. The agency remains vigilant in its efforts to intercept illicit substances and apprehend those who seek to exploit religious events for criminal purposes.