Hamas militants 'may potentially' try crossing southern border, US officials warn

Militants associated with the Israel-Hamas war “may potentially be encountered at the southwest border," U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in San Diego recently warned in an internal intelligence notice.

"[I]ndividuals inspired by, or reacting to, the current Israel-Hamas conflict may attempt travel to or from the area of hostilities in the Middle east via circuituous transit across the Southwest border,” reads the notice, sent Friday, in part.

The intel document shows various insignias worn by Hamas, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. It informs CBP personnel to be vigilant for military-age men wearing military gear and traveling alone at the border.

A CBP spokesperson said in a statement that the agency has no indication Hamas has directed foreign militants to make entry into the U.S.

The agency did not confirm or deny the information reported about the intelligence notice but said CBP routinely provides its personnel with information to maintain “situational awareness.”

CBP intelligence offices regularly generate reports on potential threats to border security. Naming particular groups may indicate that officials have specific intelligence based on the severity of potential threats outside the U.S.