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US law enforcement agencies stepped up security on Friday to protect Jewish and Muslim communities amid global protests over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators filled the streets of New York City.
Crowds of protesters gathered near Times Square in Manhattan, demanding independence for the Palestinian territories and condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as his government stepped up attacks on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a wave of surprise atrocities by Hamas fighters in Israel.
Many of the protesters wore masks to hide their identities, they said, to protect their safety.
Law enforcement agencies in New York and other US cities said they were stepping up patrols around synagogues, mosques and other Jewish and Muslim institutions, although authorities insisted they had no indication of any specific or credible threats.
Israel has stepped up attacks on Gaza in recent days in response to attacks in southern Israel last weekend by gunmen from the Iran-backed Hamas militant group, which rules the enclave that Israel captured from Egypt in 1967.
The Hamas attack killed at least 1,300 Israelis, marking the deadliest Palestinian attack on the Jewish state in history.
Israel has killed at least 1,900 Palestinians in airstrikes on Gaza while asking more than 1 million residents to leave the northern part of the enclave within 24 hours before another major attack.
In the United States, national security officials met at the White House on Friday to discuss preparations to protect Jewish and Muslim communities across the country, as well as diplomatic facilities in Washington and cities where Israeli consulates are located, including New York and Los Angeles.
"At this time, none of our intelligence agencies have any specific threat data in the United States related to the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel," White House spokesman John Kirby said. "We continue to remain vigilant against any potential threat."
New York City police were on high alert, keeping a very visible profile during the raucous but peaceful rally in Times Square, as thousands shouted, beat drums and waved Palestinian flags and banners./ Voa
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