Iraqi security forces personnel fire artillery during clashes with Islamic State militants, in Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad October 26, 2014. Picture taken October 26, 2014. REUTERS/Stringer
IN PHOTO: Iraqi security forces personnel fire artillery during clashes with Islamic State militants, in Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad October 26, 2014. Picture taken October 26, 2014. REUTERS/Stringer REUTERS/Stringer

The current Palestinian attacks in Jerusalem reportedly drew inspiration from the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The intelligence minister of Israel believes the wave of terror in east Jerusalem was influenced by ISIS and its extremist views of religion.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the attacks as Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinetz told CNN that the Palestinian Authority President was to blame for inciting Palestinians to attack the synagogue. Four worshippers and one police officer were killed by two Palestinians during the morning prayers in the synagogue.

Steinetz revealed that the two Palestinians involved in the attacks were inspired by ISIS but they were motivated by Abu Mazen, the president of the Palestinian Authority. He said it was Mazen who urged all Palestinian Muslims to defend the al-Aqsa Mosque two months ago. Steinetz claimed Mazen had called on the Palestinians to protect it against the "Jews who contaminate the mosque." He further accused the Palestinian president to defend the mosque "by all means" leading to riots and terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, ISIS leader Abu Bark al-Baghdadi, who had recently released an audio message that he was very much alive, has plans of annexing more Arab lands to expand his caliphate. According to WND, the new lands ISIS will seize may only create a more challenging situation for the U.S.-led coalition forces. The ISIS leader's rare public message is considered the first time it was officially acknowledged that the group will expand outside its base. Washington Institute's Aaron Zelin said ISIS now commands authority over satellite groups and smaller territories outside Iraq and Syria.

Al-Baghdadi has previously declared he has accepted a pledge of allegiance of one of the extremist groups in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the Jund al-Khilafah in Algeria, the Majis Shura Shabab al-Islam in Libya and the Ansar Belt al-Maqdis in the Sinai. His announcement suggested that ISIS has sufficient control and influence over areas outside of Iraq and Syria. The report said ISIS fighters will target the royal family of Saudi Arabia and the "crusaders" of the West.

The United Nations has recently reported that ISIS has enough weapons to keep on fighting for up to two years. U.S. President Barack Obama stated in a news conference in Australia at the G20 that if ISIS will acquire nuclear weapons, he will not hesitate to send ground troops to fight the militants.

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