A French soldier was stabbed outside the Gare de l’Est train station in Paris on Monday. The attack resulted in the soldier sustaining a shoulder blade injury, but thankfully, his condition is not life-threatening. The attacker, however, was promptly apprehended by authorities. The motive behind the attack is currently under investigation.
The incident occurred amid a heightened security alert in Paris, just 11 days before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. Paris is deploying a significant number of security personnel, including around 30,000 police officers per day, with a peak of 45,000 for the opening ceremony. Additionally, approximately 18,000 members of the military are assisting with security efforts.
The soldier who was attacked was part of the Sentinelle force, a deployment of thousands of troops for France’s domestic security. The Sentinelle force was created in response to a series of deadly Islamic extremist attacks in 2015 and has been the target of past attacks. While the national counterterrorism prosecutor’s office has not identified terrorism as a suspected motive in this case, an investigation into attempted murder has been opened. The suspect’s identity is being confirmed.
The incident highlights the ongoing security concerns in France, particularly as the nation prepares to host a major international event like the Olympics.
