An armed man who who held six people inside a La Havre bank in France’s Normandy on Thursday night and demanded ‘freedom for Palestinians’ surrendered to police and is now in custody after a six-hour standoff with police.

The 34-year-old hostage taker, who was known to police and understood to be have been radicalised, demanded during that “unjustly imprisoned Palestinian children” in Israel be released, and that free passage be granted to Palestinians under 40 into the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, although it isn’t quite clear what he specifically meant.

According to police, the man had a history of psychological issues and could not be named due to French regulations. RTL news also reported he has a criminal record, which includes kidnapping.

Latest from hostage situation in Normandy

BREAKING: Hostage situation in #LeHarvre, #FranceLocal reports say an armed man is holding several hostages in a bank, demanding that Israel "frees Palestinian minors" and let "Palestinians under 40" into the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

Posted by Christians United for Israel – UK on Thursday, 6 August 2020

After special RAID police cordoned off the area, the captor threatened to “blow everything up,” but ultimately no one was injured and hostages were slowly released, one by one, until the man was left with only one captive inside the bank before he was put in custody and the situation was defused. It isn’t clear whether he had more than a handgun or whether he was linked with any organisation.

Édouard Philippe, the current mayor of La Havre and former French prime minister, tweeted his thanks to police officers following the end of the standoff.

“Congratulations and thanks to the state services, the national police and the RAID police officers who, once again, have done a remarkable job in the service of our fellow citizens,” he tweeted.

Related Articles:

Anti-Israel institutions highlight how the world’s wisdom is foolishness to God

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness.’" - 1 Corinthians 3:19 Governments, global bodies, legal...

Why Israel is right to ban UNWRA

Israel has banned UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The decision didn’t come out of the blue. The Jewish state has been warning the UN and international community for years...

Netanyahu’s assassination attempt is a reminder to pray for Israel’s leaders

The drone strike on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s home is an important reminder to continue praying for the protection of Israel’s leaders.Benjamin Netanyahu’s house in Caesarea was struck...

Why is Al-Jazeera still on air in Britain?

It is a well-known fact that Al-Jazeera is a propaganda machine against Israel. The Qatari funded broadcaster has long been accused of institutional bias against Israel. But Al-Jazeera’s...

Joyfully praising God in Zion

Tonight marks the end of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, a feast mandated by God as a joyous time of celebration. This is the most joyful time of year for Jews. Families...