France is set to deploy 7,000 soldiers for heightened security following a fatal stabbing incident at a school, with a former student being the prime suspect, as confirmed by the president’s office on Saturday.
The Gambetta-Carnot school in Arras, which was subject to the attack, reopened its doors on Saturday morning to provide support to those affected.
The attack, which occurred amidst global tensions over Israel’s bombing of Gaza, has raised concerns about the country’s security.
The suspected attacker, who hails from the Ingushetia region in Russia, had been under surveillance by intelligence services for his alleged radical views.
He and several others are currently in custody, with authorities looking into the incident.
In response to the incident, the French government has raised the national threat alert and authorized the deployment of the military to secure public areas under the “attack emergency” threat posture.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with the assailant refusing to cooperate with investigators.
The reopening of the school saw parents and children seeking support and guidance from counselors. The emotional impact on the students was evident, with one mother recounting the fear experienced by her children during the incident.
This tragic incident has revived memories of the killing of another teacher three years ago, echoing concerns about the rise of extremism.
French intelligence has indicated a potential link between the Middle East conflict and the recent attack, but it’s not certain if the indication is for political purposes.
The attack left one teacher dead, with others severely injured.
French president Macron emphasized that he is ready to fight terror.