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The New Orleans Attack and Hamas’ October 7 Massacre Share the Same Ideology and Motivation

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a suspect in the New Orleans attack, is seen in this picture obtained from social media, released in November 2013, in Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk), Louisiana, US, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division via Facebook via REUTERS
The tragic terror attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day is yet another reminder of the persistent threat of extremist ideologies in the West. While the immediate focus is on this horrific event, it’s crucial that we don’t allow such incidents, often labeled as “lone wolf” attacks, to overshadow the broader issue of radical Islamism, which continues to challenge Western societies.
The terrorist’s actions, carried out hours after posting videos expressing a desire to kill people and featuring ISIS symbols, highlight the ideological motivations behind these attacks. While the FBI has not confirmed a direct ISIS affiliation, the presence of ISIS-related imagery and the killer’s premeditated plan signal a deeper ideological commitment to terror. The attack also involved firearms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), showcasing the deadly, calculated nature of these assaults.
However, the “lone wolf” label can be misleading. While these individuals may act alone in execution, they are often driven by powerful ideologies. Islamism, a radical political ideology advocating for the establishment of an Islamic state under Sharia law, continues to thrive in certain segments of Western societies. This ideology, which justifies violence as a means of achieving political goals, is not confined to isolated groups or individuals — it is a growing threat.
This issue was starkly brought into focus in October 2023, with the Hamas-led massacre in Israel. On October 7, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented assault, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages. This attack, one of the deadliest in recent memory and the worst in Israel’s histoy, was not an isolated incident, but part of Hamas’ long-standing agenda to destroy Israel and establish an Islamic state. The brutality of October 7 is just one example of the kind of radicalism promoted by Islamist groups like Hamas, whose violent methods echo those of ISIS and other extremist organizations.
The ideology driving groups like Hamas and ISIS shares a goal: the imposition of their version of Islam through violent means. These ideologies promote terror as a political tool. Whether through organized groups like Hamas or individuals radicalized in the West, the core motivation remains the same: a radical, uncompromising vision of Islam that justifies violence to achieve its goals.
This form of radical Islamism, while often dismissed as an issue confined to the Middle East, has spread globally. In Western countries, it is particularly alarming to see these ideologies gaining traction in local communities, leading to violent acts carried out by individuals like the New Orleans killer.
The problem with this kind of Islamism is that it does not merely present an ideological challenge — it is inherently violent. The radicalization process, whether it occurs in a war zone or in Western cities, is fueled by extremist interpretations of Islam. While the majority of Muslims do not subscribe to these beliefs, the existence of such ideologies within the Muslim community creates a dangerous undercurrent that must be addressed.
In the aftermath of the New Year’s attack, President Joe Biden and local authorities prioritized swift action and investigation. However, addressing the underlying problem of radical Islamism requires more than just focusing on individual attacks. Governments must confront the broader networks of influence that enable these ideologies to thrive. Whether it’s ISIS, Hamas, or lone-wolf attackers, they are all products of the same ideological machinery that promotes radicalism.
The rise of radical Islamism requires a coordinated global response. This includes intelligence-sharing among nations and improved efforts to monitor and prevent radicalization within communities. The use of social media by extremists highlights the importance of monitoring online platforms for signs of radicalization. However, questions remain about whether Western societies are doing enough to act on such signals in real-time.
Moreover, Western countries must ensure that Muslim communities are not isolated or preyed upon by extremist groups. Integration — socially, economically, and politically — helps prevent disenfranchised individuals from turning to violent ideologies. Community engagement, education, and open dialogue between Muslim leaders and broader society can foster an environment that isolates radical elements and promotes a peaceful, inclusive vision of Islam.
The role of the media also cannot be overstated. While it is natural to focus on the details of an attack, it is equally important to address the broader ideological threat posed by Islamism. The media often highlights the individual perpetrator, but the real issue lies in the ideas that drive these attacks.
While the attack in New Orleans is tragic and demands full attention, we must not let it distract from the broader issue of radical Islamism in the West. Only by addressing the root causes of this violence can we hope to prevent future tragedies, and ensure a safer, more inclusive world for everyone.
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UN Security Council Meets on Iran as Russia, China Push for a Ceasefire

Members of the Security Council cast a vote during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at UN headquarters in New York, US, Feb. 24, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/David Dee Delgado
The U.N. Security Council met on Sunday to discuss US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites as Russia, China and Pakistan proposed the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East.
It was not immediately clear when it could be put to a vote. The three countries circulated the draft text, said diplomats, and asked members to share their comments by Monday evening. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China to pass.
The US is likely to oppose the draft resolution, seen by Reuters, which also condemns attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites and facilities. The text does not name the United States or Israel.
“The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a perilous turn in a region that is already reeling,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Sunday. “We now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation.”
“We must act – immediately and decisively – to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations on the Iran nuclear program,” Guterres said.
The world awaited Iran’s response on Sunday after President Donald Trump said the US had “obliterated” Tehran’s key nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.
U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council that while craters were visible at Iran’s enrichment site buried into a mountain at Fordow, “no one – including the IAEA – is in a position to assess the underground damage.”
Grossi said entrances to tunnels used for the storage of enriched material appear to have been hit at Iran’s sprawling Isfahan nuclear complex, while the fuel enrichment plant at Natanz has been struck again.
“Iran has informed the IAEA there has been no increase in off-site radiation levels at all three sites,” said Grossi, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Iran requested the U.N. Security Council meeting, calling on the 15-member body “to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”
Israel‘s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement on Sunday that the U.S. and Israel “do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place.”
Danon told reporters before the council meeting that it was still early when it came to assessing the impact of the U.S. strikes. When asked if Israel was pursuing regime change in Iran, Danon said: “That’s for the Iranian people to decide, not for us.”
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Israel Rejects Critical EU Report Ahead of Ministers’ Meeting

FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises from Gaza after an explosion, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, June 11, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
Israel has rejected a European Union report saying it may be breaching human rights obligations in Gaza and the West Bank as a “moral and methodological failure,” according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday.
The note, sent to EU officials ahead of a foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday, said the report by the bloc’s diplomatic service failed to consider Israel’s challenges and was based on inaccurate information.
“The Foreign Ministry of the State of Israel rejects the document … and finds it to be a complete moral and methodological failure,” the note said, adding that it should be dismissed entirely.
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Pope Leo Urges International Diplomacy to Prevent ‘Irreparable Abyss’

FILE PHOTO: Pope Leo XIV holds a Jubilee audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of Sport, at St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican June 14, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo
Pope Leo on Sunday said the international community must strive to avoid war that risks opening an “irreparable abyss,” and that diplomacy should take the place of conflict.
US forces struck Iran’s three main nuclear sites overnight, joining an Israeli assault in a major new escalation of conflict in the Middle East as Tehran vowed to defend itself.
“Every member of the international community has a moral responsibility: to stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” Pope Leo said during his weekly prayer with pilgrims.
“No armed victory can compensate for the pain of mothers, the fear of children, the stolen future. Let diplomacy silence the weapons, let nations chart their future with peace efforts, not with violence and bloody conflicts,” he added.
“In this dramatic scenario, which includes Israel and Palestine, the daily suffering of the population, especially in Gaza and other territories, risks being forgotten, where the need for adequate humanitarian support is becoming increasingly urgent,” Pope Leo said.
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