How has the Israel-Gaza war affected global security?

United Kingdom

London police said on Sunday (October 8) they had increased patrols following the Hamas attack.

“We are aware of a number of incidents… related to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip,” the police said on social media. “We have increased patrols across parts of London to provide reassurance to the community.”

How has the Israel-Gaza war affected global security? Image 1 — Pro-Hamas protesters in Beirut. Photo: AFP

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman warned of "zero tolerance for anti-Semitism or the glorification of terrorism on Britain's streets".

“I hope the police will use the full force of the law to combat any expression of support for Hamas, other banned terrorist groups or attempts to intimidate Jews in the UK,” Ms Braverman wrote on X.

Canada

Police in Ottawa, Canada announced increased presence in sensitive religious areas.

“Today’s attack on Israel has had an impact on our community in Ottawa,” a statement said. “We have increased our police presence in areas of religious significance including synagogues and mosques.”

“We are also reaching out to community partners to ensure they have the support they need. Hate crimes will not be tolerated in Canada,” the statement added.

France

The French government is focusing on synagogues and Jewish schools in cities across the country.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin sent an urgent message to local officials calling for increased surveillance.

“At this time, I ask you to immediately increase vigilance, security and protection of Jewish community sites in France,” he wrote.

He called for "systematically increasing the presence of security forces", as well as considering using troops from France's Operation Sentinelle, which has been deployed across the country since the 2015 terror attacks.

It is estimated that there are more than 500,000 Jews living in France. It is also the largest Jewish community in Europe and the third largest in the world , after Israel and the United States.

Virtue

Berlin has stepped up police protection around Jewish and Israeli establishments, while some Palestinian supporters took to the streets of the capital Berlin in support of Hamas.

“In Berlin, police forces have been immediately reinforced,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told Bild newspaper. “The federal government and the regions are working closely together.”

Authorities are also closely monitoring "extremist supporters of Hamas," she added.

Iran

Hundreds of people gathered on October 7 in major cities, including Tehran’s Palestine Square, carrying Palestinian flags and pro-Hamas banners. Crowds in some cities set off fireworks and burned Israeli flags.

Lebanon

Hezbollah held a rally on October 8 in Beirut, chanting pro-Hamas slogans.

Hezbollah said it had attacked Israeli positions in the disputed Shebaa Farms area, “in a show of solidarity” with Hamas.

Türkiye

Thousands of Turks joined a march in Istanbul in support of the Palestinians.

“The Palestinian people are just defending their homeland, this is not terrorism,” said Sahin Ocal, 54, a member of one of the associations that organized the protest.