Police have closed a London park after an Islamist 'terror cell' posted a video of what they claimed were drones carrying 'radioactive and cancer-causing materials' towards the Israeli embassy.
The Metropolitan Police has blocked off public access to Kensington Gardens while officers wearing protective hazmat suits and gas masks assess 'a number of discarded items'.
It comes after the Iran-linked group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia posted a video online claiming it had aimed two drones carrying 'radioactive and dangerous carcinogenic material' towards the nearby Israeli embassy.
In a video released by the group, two people dressed in white hazmat-style suits handled drones adorned with its logo. Footage, which appeared to have been filmed in a local park, then showed a drone taking off into the evening sky.
The Met Police confirmed the embassy has not been attacked, but said it was probing the authenticity of the video and whether there is any link between it and the items discarded in the park.
Officers wearing protective suits were pictured in Kensington Gardens just before 9am, while access to the public was blocked off on Friday.
A van belonging to the Metropolitan Police's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) team, a fire investigation unit from the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service's hazardous area response team are also present at the scene.
Later, divers from the Metropolitan Police underwater and confined space search team arrived close to the bandstand.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has claimed responsibility for a series of incidents since the start of the conflict between the US and Israel and Iran, including the arson attack on ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has claimed it aimed two drones carrying 'radioactive and dangerous carcinogenic material' towards the nearby Israeli embassy, releasing a video showing two people in hazmat-style suits
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia yesterday released this photograph of a drone bearing the group's logo, before today claiming it had targeted the Israeli embassy
Officers wearing protective suits and gas masks were first pictured in the park just before 9am
A group of officers gather in Kensington Gardens as they respond to the incident unfolding near the Israeli embassy today
Forensic police officers arrive at Kensington Gardens in central London on Friday
Video footage appeared to show a drone being launched from a nearby park
It has also claimed recent attempted arson attacks at a synagogue in Finchley and an Iranian TV station in Wembley which is critical of the regime.
In its latest video, the group said it has 'moved to the second phase of operations'.
The gates to Kensington Gardens were shut this morning, with signs informing the public that the park is closed.
'Hazardous conditions - do not enter', the sign added.
As well as specialist teams of police officers, including divers, London Fire Brigade’s fire investigation dogs were also deployed in the park this afternoon.
The Israeli embassy confirmed it had not been directly attacked and its staff are safe.
'A suspected security incident is being investigated in the park adjacent to the Embassy of Israel in London,' the embassy said.
'We wish to clarify that all Embassy staff are safe and that the Embassy was not attacked.
'As always we remain in close and continuous contact with the local authorities.'
In a statement released on Friday, the Met Police said: 'There is an increased police presence in Kensington Gardens and officers are assessing a number of discarded items.
'As a precaution, some of the officers who have been deployed are wearing protective clothing. We recognise this may concern local residents and the wider public.
'We do not believe there to be any increased public safety risk at this stage, but we would urge people to avoid the area while officers carry out their work.
'There are cordons in place and there is no public access to the gardens and the surrounding area.
In a video released by the group, two people dressed in white hazmat-style suits handled drones adorned with its logo
Officers stand by a Police van inside the closed Kensington Palace Gardens on Friday
A police van is seen parked in Kensington Gardens as officers probe 'a number of discarded items' in the area
The Met Police confirmed there is an 'increased police presence' at Kensington Gardens, which is closed today, as officers assess 'a number of discarded items'
It comes after group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia appeared to claim it had aimed two drones carrying 'radioactive and dangerous carcinogenic material' at the nearby Israeli embassy
'Counter Terrorism Policing London are aware of a video shared online overnight in which a group claim to have targeted the nearby Embassy of Israel with drones carrying dangerous substances.
'While we can confirm that the Embassy has not been attacked, we are carrying out urgent enquiries to determine the authenticity of the video and to identify any potential link between it and the items discarded in Kensington Gardens.'
In a statement on social media, Kensington Gardens confirmed it would be closed for the day.
'Due to an ongoing police investigation, Kensington Gardens will be closed to the public today,' the statement read.
'We respectfully ask that people avoid the area until further notice. Thank you.
'Hyde Park and West Carriage Drive remain open. Serpentine Galleries can be access from West Carriage Drive'.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has called on the Government to set out what steps are being taken to protect the embassy.
'The relentless intimidation of the Jewish community and attacks on Jewish institutions have absolutely no place in this country,' he said.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which translates to 'Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right', is also known as Ashab al-Yamin.
It is believed to be linked to Iran's proxy groups and has claimed responsibility for incidents across Europe in recent weeks.
Yesterday, the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Matt Jukes, warned anyone considering taking payment or being persuaded to carry out actions on behalf of foreign organisations or states.
He said: 'We know that some individuals are being persuaded or paid to act on behalf of foreign organisations and states.
'If you act out of hatred, racism or antisemitism, we will come after you and you will face the consequences.
'For the people who think you can make quick and easy money by committing crimes for others, we will show that they are fools. We will show that they are wrong and they will face consequences.
'Those who have paid for it will drop them like a stone, and they'll face justice on their own.'
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia was first heard of when it said it was behind an explosion at the front of a synagogue in the Belgian city of Liege on March 9.
Its insignia, bearing a raised arm with a rifle pointing right with a globe slightly faded in the background, is very similar to the IRGC's, Lebanese Hezbollah and Kata'ib Hezbollah in Iraq.
The right hand is typically associated with divine favour, honour and righteousness in Islamic culture.
Featuring the right hand will lend the group's imagery to a spiritual mission, rather than an ideological pursuit, according to experts.
