The head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States, Christopher Wray, said on Tuesday that his agency is moving very quickly to stop the increasing number of threats against Muslims and Jews in the country, against the backdrop of the Israeli war on Gaza, which has completed its second month.

The American official's statements came in testimony he gave before the Judiciary Committee of the US Senate.

He said the FBI's "primary concern" "stems from lone criminals who are inspired by or react to the current war between Israel and Hamas, because they pose the most likely threat to Americans, especially Muslims, Jews and Arabs."

He added: "We have seen a significant increase in reported threats against Muslims, Jews, institutions, and places of worship here in the United States, and we are moving quickly to reduce them."

The American news website Axios reported that hate crimes against Muslims and Jews escalated significantly following the Hamas attack on October 7.

This development illustrates how conflicts abroad affect Americans at home.

The American police put all parts of the country on alert, due to the increase in threats and hate crimes against Muslims and Jews.

Religious bodies representing Muslims and Jews have warned of an increase in hate crimes against followers of both religions following the outbreak of the Gaza war.