ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 14, 2023

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 14, 2023

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Terror threat level raised in Netherlands following recent attacks in Europe
• Israel continues war against hamas despite declining international support
• Electoral violence in Mozambique likely through 2023

Terror threat level raised in Netherlands following recent attacks in Europe

On December 13, 2023, the Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security raised the terror threat level, citing a high risk of a terror attack. The threat assessment is mainly concerned with jihadist threats and cites recent attacks in other nearby European nations linked to Israel's war with Hamas and Koran desecrations in European countries. Neighboring Belgium and France have seen a number of attacks inspired by Israel's war with Hamas. The Dutch authorities also cited growing threats from right-wing extremism and anti-institutional extremism as an ongoing risk. While the announcement comes with no specific security mandates, it likely does authorize local and national security forces to increase their vigilance at public gatherings during the holiday period. This could coincide with police raids, which have taken place in the Netherlands in recent weeks, as well as a heightened security force presence.

Israel continues war against hamas despite declining international support

According to a Wall Street Journal report on December 12, 2023, the Israeli military began pumping sea water into Hamas’ tunnels in the Gaza Strip in recent days, in an effort to flush out the group’s fighters. The move is controversial, as some believe that many of the more than 130 hostages still held by Palestinian militants are housed in the tunnel system. There is also concern that it could “endanger Gaza's fresh water supply.” The move comes amid increasing international condemnation of Israel’s ongoing offensive. On December 12, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to demand a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. On the same day, United States President Joe Biden also criticized Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” and warned that the country is rapidly losing international support for its campaign.

Electoral violence in Mozambique likely through 2023

On December 10, 2023, Mozambique held partial re-run local elections in Marromeu, Gurué, Milange, and Nacala-Porto after electoral evidence emerged that the original October elections were fraudulent on behalf of the ruling Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frelimo). However, the re-run elections were largely boycotted by the main opposition parties, the Mozambican National Resistance Movement (Renamo) and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), and evidence emerged that these votes were manipulated as well. Frelimo won all of the re-run elections. At least one protester was killed during the protests, and further protests are likely for the remainder of 2023. The largest protests will be in the main cities of Maputo, Matolo, Quelimane, and Beira. However, protests will ultimately diminish in 2024 before likely resuming ahead of the October 2024 general elections, which are more consequential.