UK police probe drone threat claim near Israeli embassy in London

United Kingdom (UK) police on Friday said they are investigating a reported security incident near the Israeli embassy in London after a group claimed online that it had targeted the premises with drones carrying “dangerous substances.”

Matt Jukes, the head of counter-terrorism at London police, said officers were deployed to the area to assess “discarded items” found near the building, even as initial checks showed no sign the embassy itself had been hit. 

Police in protective clothing were seen examining the items as part of ongoing inquiries.

According to Reuters, the embassy confirmed all staff were safe.

“Counter Terrorism Policing London are aware of a video shared online overnight in which a group claim to have targeted the nearby embassy of Israel with ⁠drones carrying dangerous substances,” Jukes said in a televised statement.

“And whilst we can confirm that the embassy has not been attacked, we’re carrying out urgent inquiries to determine the authenticity of the video and to identify any potential link between it and the items discarded in Kensington Gardens.”

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The pro-Iranian group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya, also known as the Movement of the Companions of the Right Hand of Islam, posted a video showing drones and two individuals in protective gear, alongside a message suggesting the Israeli embassy was being targeted.

The group has previously claimed responsibility for attacks across Europe on U.S., Israeli and Jewish targets.

These include an arson attack that destroyed ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer emergency service Hatzola, which were parked near a synagogue in Golders Green, north London.

Jukes said police presence in the area had been increased, with cordons put in place around Kensington Gardens, restricting public access while investigations continue.

“We do not believe there to be any increased public safety risk at this time and we would urge people, nonetheless, to avoid the area while officers carry out their work,” ⁠Jukes said.

The Israeli embassy also confirmed that a suspected security incident in a nearby park was under investigation.

“We wish to clarify that all embassy staff are safe and that the embassy was not attacked,” it said. “As always we remain in close and continuous contact with ⁠the local authorities.”

The development is the latest in a series of incidents involving the embassy and Jewish sites in London.

Last month, ambulances were set ablaze near a synagogue, while earlier this week, two suspects were arrested over an attempted arson attack on another synagogue in north London.

In March, two men were charged with allegedly being tasked by Iran to conduct hostile surveillance on the Israeli embassy and other Jewish targets. Separately, a Kuwaiti man is currently on trial over accusations of planning a terrorism attack on the embassy.

(Reuters)