France, Aug 25 (v7n)- French police have arrested a man suspected of attempting to set a synagogue on fire in the southern city of La Grande-Motte on Saturday. The suspect, believed to be a 33-year-old Algerian, had reportedly set fire to several entry doors of the synagogue and nearby cars. After a manhunt involving around 200 police officers, the suspect was apprehended in Nîmes, where he allegedly opened fire on the police, leading to an exchange in which he was wounded in the face. Two others were also taken into custody.

The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office is overseeing the investigation, classifying the incident as an antisemitic attack. A policeman was slightly injured by an exploding gas bottle while securing the site. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and other officials emphasized that this was a deliberate attempt to harm Jewish individuals, and the government has announced increased police protection for synagogues, Jewish schools, and shops across France. The incident is part of a broader rise in antisemitic attacks in Europe following the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel.