I have seen the unspeakable horror of the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas terrorists on innocent men, women and children in Israel. I traveled there on a fact-finding mission to learn first hand how Hamas terrorists committed the brutal murders of civilians, many of whom had gathered in a large group to celebrate music and celebrate life.

It reminded me of another celebration back home in Boston that was shattered by terrorists more than a decade ago at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

The atrocities committed by terrorists in Israel can happen again anywhere, including Boston.

This is why I strongly urge my fellow City Councilors to accept a $13.3 million counter-terrorism grant critical for the safety of all residents who live in and visit Boston and our surrounding communities.

This grant will fund intelligence gathering and training to help prevent another act of terrorism in Boston. What my visit to Israel has shown me is that we must remain vigilant. The crime scene photos and video that I viewed during these briefings were scenes from hell. The cruelty inflicted upon the victims cannot be overstated.

I also visited with wounded Israeli soldiers at a local hospital, learned more about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza as well as the military ethics of war and what is expected and demanded from both sides of this terrible conflict.

The Hamas attacks on civilians in Israel show us that we are all at risk. Much of the evidence that I have seen during my mission to Israel, which was sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, will be used by investigators at the United Nations for its report on sexual violence in war. The female victims of Oct. 7 were not only killed, many were raped, tortured and dehumanized during the Hamas assault.

There is no justification for it, as there would be no justification for terrorists to wreak deadly havoc against civilians on our own streets and in our own neighborhoods.

Have these crimes against humanity taught us nothing?

I voted in favor of accepting the anti-terrorism grant back in December when the City Council deadlocked in a 6-6 vote, with one councilor absent. And after what I have witnessed during my trip to Israel, I will continue to support this measure and I do thank Mayor Wu for refiling the grant for a vote by the new members of the Boston City Council.

Ed Flynn is a member of the Boston City Council and U.S. Navy (Retired).