Individuals Radicalised by Israel-Hamas Conflict Face Actions by the Internal Security Department

Two individuals, a Singaporean housewife and a Malaysian cleaner, have been dealt with by the Internal Security Department (ISD) following their support for terrorist organisations linked to Islamist militants.

On February 10, the ISD revealed that both had been influenced by the Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023. The housewife, Hamizah Hamzah, aged 56, was placed under a restriction order for her involvement in promoting militant and terrorist groups. Hamizah had become an avid supporter of the Axis of Resistance (AOR), which includes groups such as Hamas and the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (AQB), particularly after the outbreak of the war. She admired Hamas and propagated its violent ideology through several social media platforms, where she served as the sole administrator of groups with up to 1,000 members. Despite not having any plans for violent action herself, Hamizah’s role in spreading extremist content was deemed a significant security risk.

Meanwhile, Saharuddin Saari, 34, a Malaysian cleaner in Singapore, was arrested by the ISD in November 2024 and deported to Malaysia. Radicalised since 2014 after viewing pro-ISIS materials, Saharuddin had long desired to join the terrorist group and was convinced that ISIS was fulfilling a religious prophecy. While he had no intention of carrying out attacks in Singapore, he was willing to engage in violence if he perceived the country as an enemy of Islam.

Both cases are part of a wider trend, with ISD addressing multiple instances of radicalisation linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This has included six Singaporeans since the war began, further highlighting the dangers posed by individuals adhering to violent extremist ideologies.