(Brussels Times) The threat level in Belgium remains high, with Brussels in particular a potential target — as October’s terror attack proved. Belgium’s threat assessment body (OCAD) has observed a significant rise in threats in 2023. The second-highest threat level remains in place.
OCAD received 41% more terror threats in 2023, either directly or through partners, it announced in its annual report on Friday. It recorded 332 reports on terrorism or extremism last year compared to 236 threats received in 2022.
It attributes the rise to the “major emotional trigger events” seen in 2023. “These are events that evoke strong emotions and can lead extremists to take action.” It pointed to the escalating Israeli bombing of Gaza following the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023.
