Federal officials claim Michigan synagogue attack was a Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism

Federal authorities declared Monday that an attack on a Michigan synagogue earlier this month is now considered an "act of terrorism" that was inspired by the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali has been accused of ramming his vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, on March 12. Ghazali is a naturalized citizen born in Lebanon who came to the United States in 2011 on an immigrant visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen and lives in Dearborn Heights.

Ghazali was the only person killed in the attack, but one security guard was injured after Ghazali crashed his vehicle and 30 law enforcement officers were treated for smoke inhalation from a fire that erupted in the crash.

Authorities said Ghazali's brothers were members of Hezbollah's rocket unit and were killed in an Israeli attack in Lebanon shortly before the crash. His niece and nephew also died in the Israeli strike.

“Based on the evidence gathered to date. We assess this attack to be a Hezbollah inspired act of terrorism, purposely targeting the Jewish community and the largest Jewish temple in Michigan.” FBI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan said in a news briefing.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Eastern Michigan Jerome Gorgon told CBS News that officials previously described the attack on the synagogue as a "targeted attack on the Jewish community," but the new distinction as an act of terrorism is important to accurately describe the attack and threat facing Jewish communities.

Officials said Ghazali allegedly recorded himself before the attack that described his "operation," which was specifically intended to "kill Jews and burn their world." 

Ghazali's phone was allegedly found at the scene, CBS News reported, and a search of the device found the suspect's browsing history contained "pro-Hezbollah news, shootout videos ... and news coverage of an Iranian fatwa for jihad against the U.S. military."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.