“Given the high level of the terrorist threat which continues to weigh on our country and the tensions in the Middle East which have experienced a sudden increase in recent days”, the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin asked the prefects to strengthen the protective measures for the Jewish community, particularly around schools and places of worship, according to a note consulted by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Saturday March 2.
“I ask you to please proceed with an immediate strengthening of security measures concerning the sites of the Jewish community”, “in particular with regard to schools” is written in this telegram, dated Friday.
The minister asks the prefects that “reinforced vigilance” be ensured by the police, “in coordination with the soldiers of Operation Sentinel, by a static, visible and systematic presence at arrival and departure times of the faithful, during gatherings and services.” It also calls for a “systematic presence of internal security forces near schools when students enter and exit.”
Mr. Darmanin finally calls on the prefects to mobilize “the intelligence services to assess threats to public order” and to pay “particular attention to possible future demonstrations”.
On Thursday, a distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza turned into tragedy after Israeli fire and a stampede which left 115 dead, according to the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. The international community has called for an investigation and an immediate ceasefire in the war sparked by the bloody attack carried out on October 7 in southern Israel by Hamas commandos infiltrated from Gaza.
On Saturday, the Israeli army continued its strikes against the Gaza Strip, which left at least 92 dead in the last twenty-four hours, according to the Hamas health ministry.
