A man wielding a makeshift flamethrower attacked a group advocating for Israeli hostages in Gaza on Sunday, injuring eight people with burns, some serious. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested and booked into the Boulder County jail. The FBI is investigating the incident as a terrorist act.

According to eyewitnesses, Soliman yelled “Free Palestine” before hurling an incendiary device into the group gathered at Pearl Street pedestrian mall in Boulder, Colorado. “He’s right there. He’s throwing Molotov cocktails,” a witness shouted as a police officer advanced on the suspect.

The victims, aged 52 to 88, were rushed to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, stating, “This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews.”

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino described the incident as an “act of ideologically motivated violence.” “We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it,” he added.

The attack occurred amid heightened tensions following Israel’s war in Gaza, which began with Hamas-led militants killing 1,200 people and abducting 250 others on October 7, 2023. Israel’s military campaign has resulted in over 54,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly women and children.

Lynn Segal, 72, a witness who supported the Palestinian cause, described the scene as chaotic. “There were people who were burning, I wanted to help,” she said. “But I didn’t want to be associated with the perpetrator.”

The New York Police Department has increased its presence at religious sites in response to the attack. Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver field office, noted that such attacks are becoming increasingly common. “Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country,” he said. “This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across the nation.”