Pasadena Police Stepping Up Patrols After Hamas Attack on Israel

Pasadena police were increasing security and patrols “around religious organizations in the City,” a Pasadena spokesperson said Saturday.

The extra patrols come in response to concerns following a surprise attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas fighters early Saturday, which has left hundreds dead in both Israel and Gaza as of Sunday morning.

The area Jewish community has planned a solidarity rally for 8 p.m. Sunday at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center located at 1434 N. Altadena Avenue, Pasadena.

“Violence abroad has a ripple effect and reaches every corner of the globe,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena. “I send my prayers to those in Israel who are suffering due to this traumatic attack on their lives and all our local Jewish communities who are also feeling their pain.”

Jason Moss represents the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, which acts as the local Jewish voice on issues that affect the greater Jewish community.

“Sadly, with the rise antisemitism we have seen, the local Jewish community remains on high alert since history has proven that any time there is a situation in Israel, there is an uptick in Jewish hate that targets our community institutions and people,” Moss said Saturday.

“The Jewish community is completely in shock following the unprecedented and unprovoked attack on Israel on Saturday. Our community has a number of Israelis who live here, including a fare number of Israeli post-docs at Caltech. With Israel being our Jewish homeland, many have a deep connection to the land and the people.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department also said it was stepping up activity.

“LASDHQ is aware of the situation in the Middle East. We would like to ensure all residents, we are monitoring, remaining vigilant, and conducting extra patrol checks in our areas. We are working closely with our federal and local law enforcement partners to monitor the situation,” the department posted on X.

Hamas — a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist group founded in 1987 that disputes Israel’s right to territory — launched the attack early Saturday morning, firing thousands of rockets into Israeli towns from the Gaza Strip and also sending in ground forces.

Al Jazeera reported that at least 300 Israelis have been killed, according to local media reports. This includes 26 soldiers who were killed in the unprecedented Hamas attack on the country’s south. An unknown number of Israeli soldiers and civilians were captured and taken to Gaza as hostages.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said that at least 370 Palestinians have been killed since the assault on Israel began and that 2,200 have been wounded, according to the New York Times.

Israeli authorities said a second round of rockets were fired at the nation Saturday evening, and struck multiple locations inside Israel, including in Tel Aviv.

The attacks came on the 50th anniversary of the so-called “Yom Kippur War,” in which Israel was attacked by a coalition of Arab states.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his nation, “We are at war” in a televised address. “What happened today has never been seen in Israel. We will take mighty vengeance for this black day,” Netanyahu said.

President Joe Biden issued a statement of support for Israel, and many Southland elected leaders condemned the attack.

“Today, I spoke with @IsraeliPM about the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. I offered our support and reiterated my unwavering commitment to Israel’s security,” Biden posted on X. “@FLOTUS and I express our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones.”