Israeli reservists on leave from Hamas war were injured in the New Orleans terror attack, according to a diplomat, who labeled the incident a "global threat."

Two Israeli tourists, who were among the more than 30 surviving victims injured in the New Orleans terror attack, are reservists who were granted leave from the Hamas war and decided to come to the United States as tourists, an Israeli diplomat told Planet Chronicle Digital.

In the wake of the truck-ramming attack on Bourbon Street that claimed 14 lives on New Year's Day, Elad Shoshan, the consul of Israel for the Southwest United States, traveled from Houston to New Orleans.

The families of the two injured Israelis want their names kept private. They are not local and are two Israeli tourists who are in their mid-to-late 20s and decided to come to the United States for about a month and a half.

"Shoshan told Planet Chronicle Digital that the soldiers came after serving as soldiers in Israel and the war for a long time. They got leave to travel and freshen up, and the purpose of their trip was to travel. The soldiers were called on reserve to serve in the current war, and they participated and contributed like many other Israeli citizens who were called for reserve. After their service, they came to travel."

Shoshan immediately flew to New Orleans after hearing about the injuries of Israelis, and he maintained contact with federal authorities. Law enforcement informed him that the Israelis were not deliberately targeted.

"According to Shoshan, the attack against Americans and tourists was not specifically targeting Israelis or Jewish people. Instead, the perpetrator aimed to inflict as much damage as possible and kill as many people as possible. The victims were in the line of the ramming path and were hit by the ramming at the beginning."

Officials claim that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who was later killed, drove a rented Ford pick-up through a crowd on Bourbon Street during an attack that was motivated by the Islamic State.

Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran and American citizen, was radicalized, according to federal investigators. He was raised Muslim in Texas.

It was an "unfortunate irony" that two Israelis who fought terrorism in their homeland after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks were victims of terror in the United States.

The diplomat cautioned the U.S. about Islamic extremist ideology, stating that anti-Israel protests in American cities and Ivy League campuses with antisemitic rhetoric and calls for a "global intifada" indicate that "the West is next."

"Unfortunately, the irony is that we face terror attacks in the Middle East and Israel every day prior to October 7. However, after October 7, the situation has changed. Shoshan believes that they do not expect a terror attack in the French Quarter in New Orleans or on New Year's Eve. When people demonstrate and say "globalize the intifada," we respond by saying that the West is next."

"The hatred we face in Israel every day for many years is not a new phenomenon. We see it happening in the U.S. and witnessed it in the past. The West, particularly our greatest ally, the U.S., has been exposed to a lot of hateful rhetoric and demonstrations against the West, America, and Israel. This has led to a clear message that they want to export the violence from the Middle East towards the U.S. We saw this just two days ago."

The border crisis has intensified the fear in the U.S., and the FBI discovered bomb-making materials at Shabbar's home in a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in Houston.

In the past year, two individuals were arrested in Houston for allegedly intending to harm Israelis, Jews, and the Israeli consulate in Houston, as stated by Shoshan.

"Shoshan stated that the message Israel conveys to the U.S. is to remain firm in any action necessary to extinguish a fire completely. However, she emphasized that only 80% of the fire can be extinguished, and the remaining 20% will rise again and cause more damage. Shoshan explained that in order to eradicate terror, Israel focuses on dealing with it on a daily basis. She added that she has been in communication with the authorities here."

"The FBI and other agencies are aiding us in this time, and I hope the American people will comprehend that we are facing a mutual threat. The threat is global and requires firmness. We must do everything possible to eliminate it."

The two Israelis who were injured in an attack never arrived in Florida to stay with their uncle, who went to New Orleans after the incident. The victims' family flew in from Israel.

On New Year's Eve, the men accidentally stumbled upon the scene in New Orleans, as stated by Shoshan.

One of the men sustained more severe injuries than the other, including head trauma, internal injuries, and limb injuries. Despite having already undergone two head surgeries, doctors are still working to stabilize him.

Shoshan stated, "We hope and pray that the next few days will determine if he will survive it."

Shoshan stated that the second Israeli sustained moderate injuries and underwent two surgeries on his limbs. Additionally, he has internal injuries but has made significant progress in the last 48 hours, the diplomat said.

Shoshan remarked that he appeared to be more steady, articulate, and attentive.

Shoshan expressed gratitude to the medical staff, authorities, FBI, and the small Jewish community in New Orleans, which comprises approximately 12,000 people, for their support during his recovery.

"We in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will do whatever it takes to support and aid every Israeli in need, regardless of their location or circumstances. As diplomats based in different missions worldwide, it is our role to provide assistance to those in need."