Teachers Stabbed, Jewish Schools Close on 'Day of Jihad'

A French language teacher was killed in a stabbing attack at a school in northern France, and two other staff members were injured on Friday.

The suspect, who is now in custody, reportedly stabbed two teachers and a security guard at the Gambetta High School in northern France at 11 a.m. local time, according to the Associated Press. The suspect's motive was not immediately known, but the anti-terrorism prosecutor's office in France has opened an investigation.

The attack came a day after Khaled Mashaal, a former leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas which last weekend launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel, called on Muslims to take to the streets to show their anger about what is happening in Gaza in a "Day of Jihad."

On October 7, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in history. Israel subsequently launched its heaviest-ever airstrikes on Gaza. As of Friday, at least 1,300 people had been killed in Israel, the AP reported, citing the Israeli military. At least 1,500 people had been killed in Gaza, according to authorities there, the AP said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is "at war" and cut off supplies of food, fuel, electricity and medicine in Gaza. Israel has called up 360,000 army reservists as it prepares for a likely ground offensive into the territory, which has an estimated population of around 2.3 million.

The suspect in France allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar," or "God is great" while conducting the stabbing. Some reports identify the suspect as a former student of the school.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the suspect has been arrested. On Thursday, Darmanin ordered local authorities to ban pro-Palestinian demonstrations after antisemitic acts increased since the Hamas attack.

Newsweek reached out to Darmanin's office via an online form for comment.

Other nations are taking action to prepare against any "Day of Jihad" attacks.

Two Jewish schools in London have closed until Monday amid safety fears as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues. The Guardian reported that £3 million ($3.6 million) will be donated to the Community Security Trust to expand security presences at Jewish schools and synagogues. Antisemitic attacks in the United Kingdom have quadrupled since Hamas' attack on Israel.

In the three-day span from October 7 to October 10, the CST said it has recorded at least 89 "anti-Jewish hate" incidents.

The White House is working with local law enforcement to counter any threats posed to Americans.

"We are constantly in touch with local law enforcement...state and federal officials across the country, to make sure that we are as vigilant as we can be to be able to identify and disrupt any threats to the American people," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday.

A number of MAGA and conservative figures also have encouraged Americans to arm themselves to prepare for the so-called "Day of Jihad."

Update 10/13/2023, 8:52 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.