Around 300 people were evacuated on Saturday, 11 July, from a neighborhood in Sarcelles, north of Paris, after a suspicious vehicle containing a military-grade weapon was discovered in the vicinity of a synagogue.
On Saturday evening, at around 9:30 p.m., the Anti-Crime Brigade (BAC) and General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) were informed of a possible Islamist terrorist attack targeting a synagogue in Sarcelles, potentially involving a Toyota vehicle.
The location of the vehicle was Rue Henri Dunant, 500 meters (about 550 yards) from the Great Synagogue, a cinema, and several restaurants.
France's specialized National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Sunday that the vehicle was unoccupied when it was discovered by security forces. It was also found to have been stolen, and its license plates had been partially removed.
PNAT confirmed that a Kalashnikov-type assault rifle with several magazines and a Beretta pistol, also loaded with a magazine, were both found in the vehicle.
Investigation has been entrusted to DGSI, SDAT, DNPJ, DIPN of Val-d’Oise
In light of these findings, on 12 July 2026, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into criminal terrorist conspiracy and the transport, possession, and acquisition of Category A and Category B firearms in connection with a terrorist enterprise.
The investigation has been entrusted to the DGSI, the SDAT (Anti-Terrorism Sub-Directorate), the DNPJ (National Directorate of Judicial Police), and the DIPN of Val-d'Oise (Departmental Directorate of the National Police).
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told BFMTV on Sunday that no motive has been established, and no individuals have been identified.
Asked whether there was an imminent threat, Nuñez told BFMTV: "We simply don't know."
The Post reached out to the synagogue for comment.