Senior official warns of risk of terror attacks in EU during New Year holidays

Europe faces a “huge risk of terrorist attacks" over the Christmas holiday period due to the fallout from the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson told reporters in Brussels on December 5, Report informs referring to ABC News.

The warning came as French investigators probe a fatal weekend attack near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Questions were raised about the mental health of the suspect, who swore allegiance to the extremist Islamic State group before stabbing a German-Filipino tourist to death and injuring two other people with a hammer.

"With the war between Israel and Hamas, and the polarization it causes in our society, with the upcoming holiday season, there is a huge risk of terrorist attacks in the European Union," Ylva Johansson noted.

"We saw (it happening) recently in Paris, unfortunately, we have seen it earlier as well," she said.

She provided no details about any information that might have led to her warning. Her office did not immediately respond to requests for details.