I will kill as many as possible: Attack on a synagogue in Michigan, United States, inspired by Hezbollah.

The attack that took place in early March at a synagogue in Michigan, in the northern United States, shortly after the start of the war against Iran, is believed to have been inspired by “Hezbollah,” said an FBI official on Monday.

“Based on the evidence collected to date, we believe that this attack is a terrorist act inspired by Hezbollah, deliberately targeting the Jewish community and the largest synagogue in Michigan,” said Jennifer Runyan, an FBI agent in charge of the Detroit office, during a press conference.

The investigation continues after a man drove his vehicle into the doors of Temple Israel synagogue, which is said to be the largest Reform Judaism synagogue in the United States, in West Bloomfield.

No one was killed in the attack, except for the assailant who committed suicide. However, a security guard was injured, and several law enforcement officers had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Over 140 children were inside the synagogue at the time of the incident.

The FBI representative explained in detail how the assailant, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, researched Jewish cultural, religious, and educational centers in the Detroit area, while purchasing materials for the attack.

She also mentioned that the 41-year-old man had sent a video message to his sister just minutes before the attack, stating: “This is the largest gathering of Israelis in the state of Michigan, USA. I have rigged the car, I will forcibly enter and start shooting them. God willing, I will kill as many as possible.”

During the same press conference, Jerome Gorgon, federal prosecutor for the eastern district of Michigan, stated that Ghazali had acted “under the direction and control of Hezbollah.” “Terrorist propaganda aims to incite ‘lone wolves’ to act on behalf of the terrorist organization,” added Jerome Gorgon.

The New York Times reported that Ghazali, born in Lebanon and arrived in Detroit in 2011, had lost two of his brothers and nephews in an Israeli strike in Lebanon at the beginning of March. Since the start of the war in the Middle East, several terrorist attacks have been recorded in the United States. Incidents and anti-Semitic attacks have also increased in recent years.