LIVE UPDATES Friday-Saturday (closed)
The Times of Israel is live blogging events as they unfold late Friday and into Saturday.
Dozens dead in deadliest violence in Paris in decades
Two police officials say at least 26 people have been killed in shootings and explosions around Paris Friday, in the deadliest violence in France in decades, AP reports.
A police official said 11 people were killed in a Paris restaurant in the 10th arrondissement, and about 15 killed in the Bataclan theater, where a hostage-taking is under way.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to be publicly named according to police policy.
Also late Friday, two explosions were heard outside the Stade de France stadium north of Paris during a France-Germany friendly football match. It is unclear if the explosions were linked to the other events.
A police official confirmed one explosion in a bar near the stadium. It is unclear whether there are casualties.
An Associated Press reporter in the stadium Friday night heard two explosions loud enough to penetrate the sounds of cheering fans. Sirens were immediately heard, and a helicopter was circling overhead.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to be publicly named.
The attack comes as France has heightened security measures ahead of a major global climate conference that starts in two weeks, out of fear of violent protests and potential terrorist attacks.
Emilioi Macchio, from Ravenna, Italy, was at the Carillon bar near the restaurant that was targeted, having a beer on the sidewalk when the shooting started. He said he didn’t see any gunmen or victims, but hid behind a corner then ran away.
“It sounded like fireworks,” he said.
France has been on edge since deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in January on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher grocery that left 20 dead, including the three attackers.
The restaurant targeted Friday, Le Carillon, is in the same general neighborhood as the Charlie Hebdo offices.
The country has seen several smaller-scale attacks or attempts since, including an incident on a high-speed train in August in which American travelers thwarted a heavily armed Islamic radical trying to attack passengers.
100 hostages taken at Paris theater
A French police official tells AP: Around 100 hostages taken at Paris’s Bataclan theater.
U.S. Homeland Security Department officials monitoring the attacks in Paris say there is no known, credible threat against the United States.
DHS officials are in contact with their foreign counterparts amid reports of multiple shootings and explosions in Paris.
Police officials in France say at least 26 people have been killed and a hostage-taking situation is underway at a theater.
‘Real panic’ in Paris
France 24 is reporting “real panic” in Paris amid the multiple fatal attacks.
Those responsible for the shootings are still art large, it says.
A Sky News commentator says “it is obvious” that the attacks are coordinated.
Recap of four sites targeted in Paris attacks
France 24 recaps: Over 30 dead in Paris attacks. four known sites involved.
France’s President Francois Hollande is in emergency consultations.
President Barack Obama has been updated.
First attack was in the 10th Arrondissement — a popular bar area.
Second attack was at the Bataclan concert hall, in the 11 Arrondissement, where a hostage drama is still unfolding.
A third attack at a restaurant nearby has seen at least 10 killings, with two gunmen said involved.
In a fourth incident, explosions have been heard near the football stadium where France and Germany played a friendly game this evening.
French TV: ‘All the signs’ of coordinated terror attacks
France 24 says there are reports of a decapitated body found at the Stade de France soccer stadium, escalating the concern that a suicide bomber was involved in explosions there.
The attacks “bear all the signs” of coordinated terror, the TV station reports.
Attacks ‘raise immediate terror concerns,’ for other cities in Europe and US
Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff says it is too early to know exactly what was happening in Paris.
Social media posts from purported ISIS supporters could indicate that “there was a group waiting for this, but it could be a group watching,” Chertoff said in an interview with MSNBC Friday night. “I don’t think we can say this proves anything, but again it supports the idea that it’s terrorism,” Chertoff said.
John Cohen, a former Homeland Security Department counterterrorism coordinator, say the presence of multiple attack scenes at the same time suggested a coordinated effort to “send a message” and raises immediate terror concerns, including for other cities in Europe and potentially the United States as well. He said both Al Qaida and ISIS have relied on the strategy of coordinated attacks in the past.
‘Intense gunfire’ in Les Halles; crowd waits to be evacuated from soccer stadium
Some French reports say the death toll is now over 60.
A French radio station is reporting an additional shooting attack at a huge shopping mall in the 1st Arrondissement in the heart of central Paris. “Intense gunfire” at that location — the Les Halles shopping mall.
France TV says 80,000 people are still waiting to be evacuated from the soccer stadium.
On a night of terrifying violence in Paris with two explosions going off outside the stadium, France beat Germany 2-0 Friday in a game overshadowed by the events around the city, AP says. The explosions could be heard inside the Stade de France as they went off nearby in the first half. The match was not halted.
Fans remained inside the stadium after the final whistle, with some going onto the pitch as news of the violence spread.
WATCH: Blast heard in stadium during soccer game
This clip records the noise of an explosion as heard during the France-Germany soccer game in Paris this evening.
Unconfirmed reports of suicide bombers. Sound of explosion outside Stadium reportedly caught on TV cameras. #Paris https://t.co/09B1M9Zy7L
— My Daughter's Army (@mydaughtersarmy) November 13, 2015
Obama: ‘Heartbreaking situation’ in Paris
“We are reminded in this time of tragedy” of the bonds of “liberté, égalité, fraternité,” says President Obama at a news conference.
He says “we don’t yet know” all the details, but references terrorism. “The situation is still unfolding.”
Obama says he hasn’t called Hollande, because the French president is doubtless extremely busy.
“This is a heartbreaking situation,” he says, and Americans “know what it’s like.”
President Barack Obama. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP)
The French have been “an extraordinary counter-terrorism partner,” he says. And the US will do all it can for France.
“I don’t want to speculate” about who is responsible, says Obama. “It appears that there may still be live activity” and ongoing “dangers.”
France calls highest terror alert after Paris attacks
The French government placed the country on “Plan Rouge Alpha” (Plan Red Alpha), the highest terror alert in the country following a series of coordinated attacks that have left at least 40 people dead, and up to 60, according to some reports.
Hollande calls state of emergency, closes borders
French President Francois Hollande calls a state of emergency in all of France and says he is shutting down its borders amid a series of attacks that have killed at least 40 and up to 60 in the French capital tonight.
“A state of emergency is declared,” he says.
He speaks of “terrorist attacks on an unprecedented scale” in France. “It’s a horror.”
“All borders are closed so that all those who committed these crimes can be stopped if they try to leave.”
“We have to be united and keep a calm head,” he says.
“France needs to be strong, and we will be.”
France’s President Hollande declares a state of emergency amid multiple attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015 (France 24 screenshot)
“Everyone must be responsible; what the terrorists want is for us to be scared. There is something to be scared about, but in the face of terror we have to be united and we will vanquish these terrorists.”
Hollande updates French citizens that some of the attacks are ongoing. “We have not finished these operations. There are some very difficult ones we are still dealing with.”
Please have faith in our security forces that they can defend us from terrorism,” he urges.
“Vive La Republique et vive la France,” he concludes.
Escaped Paris theater hostage says terrorists ‘calmly’ executing people
A hostage who escaped the Bataclan theater where it is reported that more than 100 people were being held, tells CNN that the terrorists are “calmly” executing hostages.
Escaped hostage from #Bataclan tells #CNN terrorists calmly executed hostages, reloaded, executed again in silence pic.twitter.com/OjXMFYRwhj
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) November 13, 2015
Hostages in theater are being killed ‘one by one’
France 24 reports that gunmen at the heavy metal concert by Eagles of Death Metal at the Bataclan concert hall have opened fire on the audience. It says the hall holds some 1,500 people.
Benjamin Cazenove, injured and trapped in the theater, says gunmen are killing people “one by one,” France 24 reports, citing a Facebook post. “It is a scene of carnage,” he says.
There are still some 60-100 people inside, the TV report says.
French police confirm 2 suicide attacks, 1 bombings outside Paris stadium
French police confirm that the attack on the soccer stadium in Paris consisted of two suicide bombers and one explosion.
Gunfire heard outside Paris theater where hostages being held
Automatic gunfire is being heard outside the Bataclan theater where it is said that over 100 hostages are being held.
BREAKING: Automatic gunfire heard from outside Paris concert hall where attackers are holding hostages.
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 13, 2015
‘They were blindly shooting at the crowd,’ says eyewitness to Paris theater attack
Eyewitnesses describe carnage at the Bataclan theater in Paris where a number of being were killed and at least 100 are said to be held hostage.
“Two to three people not wearing face masks went into the concert hall” and opened fire, said an eyewitness quoted on France 24 TV.
“They reloaded two or three times,” the witness said.
Julien Pierce, a journalist from Europe1 radio, who was inside the theater says that “very young” non-masked people entered the theater and started “blindly shooting at the crowd.”, according to Reuters.
He said the shooting lasted for 12-15 minutes straight.
“It was extremely violent and there was a wave of panic. Everyone ran toward the stage,” Pierce says, adding that he saw at least 10 bodies lying in pools of blood as he escaped through an emergency exit.
Police raid Paris theater where some 100 hostages being held
According to AFP, police are storming the Bataclan concert hall where it is said some 100 people were being held hostage.
For 1st time since 1944, Paris on curfew
A city-wide curfew has been called in Paris for the first time since 1944 — a year before the end of World War II — after a series of attacks have left at least 40 people dead, according to CNN.
Police raid on Paris theater hall ongoing; residents told to stay home
Three police officials confirm that security forces have launched an assault on the Paris concert hall where hostages have been taken.
None of the officials could be named when discussing the ongoing operation, which several officials said involved dozens of hostages.
The Paris police prefecture told residents to remain home and avoid going out unless absolutely necessary.
— AP
Theater attackers shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ before shooting — eyewitnesses
Eyewitnesses tell AFP that the attackers of the Bataclan concert hall in Paris tonight shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is great), before opening fire at the crowd gathered for a performance by the Eagles of Death Metal.
Police launched a raid on the theater moments ago, where it is said that some 100 people were being held hostage.
Police raid on Paris music hall over; 2 attackers killed
French police say that the raid on the Bataclan theater in Paris, where some 100 people were said to be held hostage, is now over and two attackers have been killed.
Eyewitness from concert hall: ‘All of a sudden we heard gunfire’
Jenny Watson, an eyewitness who was at the Bataclan concert hall when the gunmen opened fire, describes the scene to France 24:
“I was on the first floor of the venue — at the concert listening to the music. All of a sudden we heard gunshots. At first I thought it was a joke.”
She realized that it wasn’t because “people were ducking behind the seats. That’s when I realized that we had to get out.”
Watson adds: “A group of us managed to escape through a safety exit near the first floor of the venue… We all ran out in the middle of the street.”
“I saw a few people down; I saw some blood,” she says. “It was actually quite horrible; I’m only realizing it now.”
Band playing at Paris theater say not all members, crew accounted for
The Eagles of Death Metal, at whose concert hundreds of people were gathered earlier tonight in Paris, say they are still trying to locate all the members of their band and crew.
‘Dozens’ killed in Paris theater as attackers tossed explosives at hostages
Dozens of people are dead inside Paris’ famous Bataclan theater where a terrorist attack took place earlier tonight, and some 100 people were taken hostage. The death toll is expected to rise as the situation becomes clearer.
Police launched a raid and killed two attackers a short while ago.
One Paris official described “carnage” inside the building, saying the attackers had tossed explosives at the hostages.
— AP contributed
Police say 100 dead inside Paris theater; total death toll up to 140
French police say that about 100 people were killed inside the Bataclan theater in Paris tonight, bringing the total death toll from the multiple terror attacks across the French capital to 140.
Netanyahu: Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with France against terror
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel stands “shoulder to shoulder” with France in the “war against terrorism” after a deadly string of attacks in Paris left at least 140 dead tonight.
“Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with President Francois Hollande and with the French people in the war against terrorism,” Netanyahu said as he offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
Facebook activates ‘safety check’ feature after Paris attacks
Facebook has activated its Safety Check feature — allowing users to alert friends and others that they are safe — following the deadly terror attacks in Paris which have claimed the lives of at least 140 people tonight.
Screenshot from Facebook’s ‘Safety Check’ feature allowing users to report that they are safe.
Hollande heads to Paris theater where 100 killed
A French police official says top government officials including President Francois Hollande were headed to the Bataclan concert hall where hostages were taken.
According to police, at least 100 people were killed in the theater. A police assault on the venue finished earlier tonight, leaving at least two attackers dead, officials say.
1,500 extra soldiers deployed to Paris after attacks
The office of the French President Francois Hollande says that at least 1,500 extra soldiers have been deployed to Paris after the deadly attacks tonight.
Eyewitness describes ‘war zone’ below apartment
An eyewitness to the terror attack tonight on rue de Charonne in central Paris says it was like a “war zone” when he went out for an errand.
“I went out for an errand, late for a Friday night, and I saw the horror. Bodies lying on the road, and people were throwing sheets outs their windows so the corpses could be recovered. It’s a war zone near my place,” the eyewitness tells Le Figaro.
Hollande promises to fight terrorists ‘without mercy’
French President Francois Hollande says France will fight the attackers “without mercy” after touring the site of the deadliest attack, out of at least seven, at the Bataclan theater in central Paris tonight where at least 100 are said to have been killed.
Jihadists celebrate Paris attacks on social media
Twitter accounts linked to jihadists are celebrating the attacks in Paris.
According to the SITE Intelligence Group tracking militant sites, Twitter posts attributed to jihadist supporters are speculating which group may be responsible. Many users expressed belief that the Islamic State group could be behind the carnage.
They used Arabic-language hashtags that translated to “Paris on fire” and “Caliphate state strikes France.”
SITE says that accounts also circulated pictures of the attacks, and one pro-IS channel accused France of sending warplanes to bomb Syria and says “today it drinks from the same cup.”
— AP
Kerry condemns ‘heinous, evil, vile’ Paris attacks
US Secretary of State John Kerry condemns the “heinous, evil, vile” series of terror attacks across Paris which have claimed the lives of some 140 people.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this assault on innocent people, going about their lives,” he says in a statement.
“These are heinous, evil, vile acts. Those of us who can must do everything in our power to fight back against what can only be considered an assault on our common humanity,” he goes on.
“Our embassy in Paris is making every effort to account for the welfare of American citizens in the city, and in the days ahead we stand ready to provide whatever support the French government may require. France is our oldest ally, a friend and a vital partner. We stand with the French people tonight, as our peoples have always stood together in our darkest hours. These terrorist attacks will only deepen our shared resolve,” he says.
At least 5 terrorists killed, say French authorities
French authorities say five known terrorists have so far been killed, including one suicide bomber at the State de France and at least two at the Bataclan theater where at least 100 people were killed. There were 6 terror attacks across the French capital, in all.
It’s not clear that all the terrorists have been caught, authorities say according to France 24.
Witness says 1 of the Paris attackers mentioned Syria intervention
An eyewitness to one of the terror attacks across Paris tonight said that one of the attackers mentioned French military action in Syria.
It is likely to be the attack at the Bataclan theater in central Paris where at least 100 people were killed while attending a music concert.
Two gunmen were also killed in a raid by French police.
Other eyewitnesses say attackers shouted “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire at concert-goers.
Border measures tightened as France in state of emergency
French President François Hollande declared a state of emergency on Friday after a series of coordinated attacks across Paris killed at least 140 people. He also indicated that France’s borders will be sealed, but later reports amended the measure to say that security at borders would be tightened.
Airports and train stations remain open but security checks will be tightened at all crossing-points.
3 attackers at Paris theater blew themselves up during police raid
Four men who attacked a concert hall in Paris on Friday killing around 100 people were themselves killed when police stormed the building, including three who activated explosives belts, several sources say.
“Three of them blew themselves up and a fourth, who was also wearing a [suicide] belt, was hit by police fire and blew up as he fell,” one source said.
— AFP
Paris attacker blames Hollande for terror assaults
One of the assailants in Paris Friday mentioned France’s intervention in Syria’s war to justify the attacks, says a witness who was at a concert venue where some 100 people were killed.
“I clearly heard them say ‘It’s the fault of [French President Francois] Hollande, it’s the fault of your president, he should not have intervened in Syria’. They also spoke about Iraq,” says Pierre Janaszak, a radio presenter.
— AFP
Parisians, tourists use #PorteOuverte tag to seek, provide shelter from attacks
People across Paris were using the Twitter hashtag #porteouverte, or “open door” in English, to offer and seek refuge during the attacks in the French capital tonight.
Authorities urged people to stay indoors and get off the streets as more than 130 were killed in a string of terror attacks in Paris.
“The hashtag trended globally, with more than 400,000 Tweets using it, in the few hours since its creation,” Reuters reports.
Addresses and phone numbers were being tweeted on the handle as offers for accommodation came in.
Another popular hashtag in the wake of the deadly attacks is #PrayforParis.
Over 200 injured in Paris attacks, 80 seriously
According to French authorities, 200 people have been injured in Friday’s terror attacks in Paris, 80 of them seriously.
At least 130 people died Friday in some seven terror attacks across the French capital. The site of the worst attack was the Bataclan music hall where some 100 people are said to have been killed by at least four attackers, three who blew themselves up as security forces closed in police say.
French source: 8 terrorists killed in Paris attacks
A French source in the investigation on the deadly terror attacks in Paris on Friday says that the number of terrorists killed in the aftermath has gone up to eight (from 5 earlier).
The deadliest attack was at the Bataclan theater hall where concert-goers were gathered before at least four terrorists opened fire at them and tossed explosives. More than 100 people were killed in that attack.
Police say four attackers were killed in a raid by security forces at the hall, three of them by blowing themselves up as police closed in. The fourth died as a result of police gunfire but also had a suicide belt, according to authorities.
Three more died near the national stadium and a fourth was killed in a street in eastern Paris.
Footage from aftermath of Paris theater attack
U2 nixes Paris concert in wake of deadly attacks
The rock band U2 has postponed its Saturday night concert in Paris in the light of the deadly attacks across the city on Friday night.
HBO had planned to televise the band’s performance. Instead, U2 says in a statement that it is resolved to go ahead with the concert “at an appropriate time.”
For television viewers, HBO said it would replace the planned show with the film “Jersey Boys.”
U2 members say they watched in shock and disbelief at the unfolding events, and were devastated by the loss of life at the concert held by Eagles of Death Metal.
U2 members say: “We hope and pray that all of our fans in Paris are safe.”
— AP
Attackers would not stop shooting at people, say witnesses
An eyewitness tells AFP that the attackers at the Bataclan theater hall said “it’s Hollande’s fault, he shouldn’t interfere in Syria” before opening fire at the crowd gathered for a concert Friday night.
I was at the concert with my sister and my friends. We were upstairs near the stands. This was maybe an hour into the Eagles of Death Metal concert. We heard gunfire below. At first, we thought maybe it was part of the show, but we quickly understood that it wasn’t,” says Pierre Janaszak, 35, a radio and TV host.
“They were three [people], I think and they shot right at people. They had huge rifles, I imagine it was AK-47s, it made a hell of a racket. They would not stop shooting,” he says.
There were bodies and blood everywhere, he says.
Janaszak says he and a few others hid in a toilet but could hear the attackers below speaking to hostages.
“I very clearly heard them say that it was Hollande’s fault, their president’s fault, and that he shouldn’t intervene in Syria. They also spoke about Iraq,” he says.
Another witness, who gave her first name to the New York Times as Yasmine says: “I saw these two crazy guys arrive, they started firing on everybody.”
“They said ‘What you are doing in Syria, you are going to pay for it now,” she recounts.
Hollande, Obama vow to reinforce counter-terrorism efforts
President Francois Hollande and US President Barack Obama vowed to reinforce their counter-terrorism cooperation following Friday’s attacks in Paris, says a member of the French leader’s team.
“Barack Obama wanted to express his support to the French people in the face of this terrible tragedy,” says the source. “They reaffirmed their commitment to working closely in the fight against terrorism.”
— AFP
Sites of Paris terror attacks and death tolls
A string of terror attacks at least 6 known locals across Paris on Friday night left over 140 people dead. The target sites ranged from the national sports stadium to a pizzeria. The overall toll was expected to rise.
Bataclan
The deadliest was at the Bataclan music hall where at least 100 were killed.
A full house of 1,500 people were packed into the popular venue in eastern Paris for a concert by the US band Eagles of Death Metal.
About an hour after the band took to the stage, the whole concert hall was turned into “a bloodbath” according to a French radio reporter at the scene.
Black-clad gunmen wielding AK-47s stormed into the hall and fired calmly and methodically at hundreds of screaming concert-goers.
Fellow radio presenter Pierre Janaszak heard the first shots and thought it was part of the act.
“But we quickly understood. They were just firing into the crowd.”
He said he heard an attacker say, “It’s the fault of Hollande, it’s the fault of your president, he should not have intervened in Syria.”
Four assailants were killed after police stormed in — three by activating their suicide vests and a fourth shot dead — but not before they had mown down some 100 people.
Stade de France
Three loud explosions were heard outside France’s national stadium during the first half of a friendly international football match between France and Germany.
At least five people died outside the glittering venue which staged the 1998 World Cup final with several others seriously hurt.
One of the explosions was near a McDonald’s restaurant on the fringes of the stadium.
At least one of the two explosions in rue Jules-Rimet was a suicide bomb attack.
French President Francois Hollande, who was watching the game, was immediately evacuated.
The match was eventually completed and the stadium emptied in a relatively calm atmosphere.
Rue de Charonne
A little further east on Rue de Charonne 18 people were killed, with one witness saying a Japanese restaurant was the main target.
“There was blood everywhere,” the witness said.
Another man said he heard shots ring out, in sharp bursts, for two or three minutes.
“I saw several bloody bodies on the ground. I don’t know if they were dead,” he said.
Rue Bichat
Pierre Montfort lives close to a Cambodian restaurant on Paris’ Rue Bichat, a little further north, was the scene of another attack.
“We heard the sound of guns, 30-second bursts. It was endless. We thought it was fireworks,” he said.
Florence said she arrived by scooter a minute or so after.
“It was surreal, everyone was on the ground. No one was moving inside the Petit Cambodge restaurant and everyone was on the ground in bar Carillon,” she said.
“It was very calm — people didn’t understand what was going on. A young girl was being carried in the arms of a young man. She seemed to be dead.”
Rue de la Fontaine au Roi
A few hundred meters (yards) from the Bataclan, the terrace of the Casa Nostra pizzeria was targeted.
Five people were killed by attackers wielding automatic rifles, according to witness Mathieu, 35.
“There were at least five dead around me, others in the road, there was blood everywhere. I was very lucky.”
Boulevard Voltaire
A judicial source said one of the attackers exploded his suicide vest on the Boulevard Voltaire, near the Bataclan. It is not yet known if there were any injuries from the explosion.
Hollande reinstates ‘systematic border checks’
France’s Foreign Ministry tweets that President Hollande has “decided to immediately reinstate systematic border checks” in the wake of the attacks in Paris.
According to the travel advisory on the ministry’s website says that the checks are being “performed at road crossing-points, rail, sea and airports.”
#ParisAttacks French President @fhollande has decided to immediately reinstate systematic border checks https://t.co/sxb2suhAKP
— France Diplomacy (@francediplo_EN) November 14, 2015
French mag: Bataclan an Islamist target due to Jewish owners
French magazine Le Point says the Bataclan theater has for years been the target of anti-Zionist groups as its Jewish owners often put on pro-Israel events.
The publication quotes a member of the extremist group Army of Islam, who told French security services in 2011 that, “We had planned an attack against the Bataclan because its owners are Jews.”
The Eagles of Death Metal, the band performing at the theater when the attacks began, played in Tel Aviv’s Barby club in July.
Rouhani sends condolences to France, delays Europe trip
In a Twitter post, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani sends condolences to France on behalf of the Iranian people.
اینجانب به نام ملت #ایران که خود یکی از قربانیان تروریسم بوده؛ این جنایات ضدبشری را شدیدا محکوم و به ملت سوگوار و دولت #فرانسه تسلیت میگویم
— دکتر حسن روحانی (@Rouhani_ir) November 14, 2015
Rouhani is delaying his upcoming visit to Europe in the wake of the attacks, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Foreign Ministry still checking for Israelis wounded in Paris
The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem says it is still unclear whether there are any Israeli casualties in the Paris attacks.
“Currently there is no information on wounded Israelis, not on the ground and not from the authorities. There is however uncertainty, and therefore we are exploring every possible avenue,” the ministry says, according to Maariv. “The embassy is in close contact with the relevant parties in order to form a precise picture regarding the possibility of Israelis being caught up” in the attacks.
The ministry says that none of Israel’s diplomatic staff or embassy employees have been hurt in the attacks.
Cameron convenes emergency meeting in wake of attacks
British PM David Cameron says he is convening a meeting of COBRA, the emergency committee that deals with issues affecting multiple areas of government.
In a Twitter post, Cameron says the meeting has been called in the wake of “the horrifying and sickening terror attacks in Paris.”
I will be chairing a meeting of COBRA this morning following the horrifying and sickening terror attacks in Paris.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) November 14, 2015
Witnesses tell of ‘bloodbath’ at Paris rock concert
Survivors from the Paris concert hall targeted during Friday’s attacks describe running over bodies and hiding after gunmen stormed the venue and began executing rock fans with barrages of automatic gunfire.
Pierre Janaszak, a radio presenter, was sitting in the balcony with his sister and friends when they heard shots from below about one hour into the concert by US rock band Eagles of Death Metal.
“At first we thought it was part of the show but we quickly understood,” he says. “They didn’t stop firing. There was blood everywhere, corpses everywhere. We heard screaming. Everyone was trying to flee.”
— AFP
Vatican condemns Paris attacks ‘in the most radical way’
The Vatican condemns “in the most radical way” the terror attacks in Paris.
The Rev. Federico Lombardi says in a statement that the violence is “an attack on peace for all humanity.”
He says it requires “a decisive, supportive response on the part of all of us as we counter the spread of homicidal hatred in all of its forms.”
Lombardi says the Vatican was praying for the victims and the wounded, “and for all the French people.”
— AP
Abbas: Palestinians stand in solidarity with France
PA President Mahmoud Abbas condemns the Paris attacks and says the Palestinians are standing in solidarity with the people of France, the PLO writes on Twitter.
President Abbas: We condemn the terrorist #ParisAttacks and we extebd our sympathy and solidarity with the French people and government.
— Palestine PLO – NAD (@nadplo) November 14, 2015
Herzog to French envoy: We share your pain
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog speaks to French ambassador Patrick Maisonnave, offering Israel’s assistance and expressing sorrow at the Paris attacks.
“Today we all identify with France and share the deep pain of the French people over the terrible and despicable crime against liberty that took place last night,” he says, according to Maariv. “Satanic terrorism knows no boundaries, and only through valiant and steadfast cooperation by the family of nations can we eradicate it. Israel will do everything it can to help in this fight.”
Weekend sporting fixtures in Paris area cancelled
All sporting fixtures in the Paris area this weekend have been cancelled after the terror attacks that left at least 120 people dead, local authorities said.
The message was passed to the heads of sports federations as the French capital reeled from an unprecedented series of shootings and bombings, including suicide attacks outside the Stade de France national stadium while France were playing Germany in an international football match.
— AFP
Germany offers to send anti-terror unit to France
Germany is offering France the help of its special anti-terror unit in the wake of the Paris attacks.
Germany’s Interior Minister Thomas des Maiziere says in a statement that he is in touch with his French counterpart “and I have offered him the help of German special forces.”
Ministry spokesman Tobias Plate says de Maiziere had offered “all support, including special forces such as the GSG9.”
The GSG9 anti-terror unit was created after the attacks on the Munich Olympics in 1972 and saw its first major operation during the hijacking of a Lufthansa plane by a Palestinian group.
–AP
Russian PM: Paris attacks show need to ‘unite’ against extremism
The simultaneous attacks in Paris that left at least 127 people dead are a call to unite against extremism, says Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
“We share the sadness and the pain of the French people,” Medvedev says in a statement published on the government’s website. “Terrorist crimes are not and cannot be justified. The Paris tragedy requires of us all to unite in the fight against extremism, to bring a strong answer to terrorists’ actions.”
— AFP
Disneyland Paris shuts ‘in support of our community’
Disneyland Paris is closed to the public, in a highly unusual move, after the string of attacks in Paris on Friday night.
The theme park east of Paris, one of Europe’s leading tourist attractions, says in a statement that it decided not to open Saturday “in light of the recent tragic events in France and in support of our community and the victims of these horrendous attacks.”
Some 14 million people visited Disneyland Paris last year.
— AP
Paris police: At least 127 dead, 180 wounded
At least 127 people were killed in the Paris attacks on Friday night, with 180 people injured, 80 of them critically, police sources say.
— AP
Israel raises alert for its embassies around the world
Israel increases the level of alert at its embassies and consulates around the world, in wake of the Paris attacks.
Concerns also remain for attacks on Jewish targets, the Walla news website reports.
PM orders Israeli flags to half-mast at state buildings, embassies
Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered that Israeli flags on government buildings and at the country’s embassies around the world are to be lowered to half mast.
The move is an expression of solidarity with the French people in the wake of Friday’s terror attacks in Paris, the Maariv website reports.
Top Sunni Muslim cleric condemns ‘hateful’ Paris attacks
The head of Sunni Islam’s leading seat of learning, Cairo’s Al-Azhar, condemns the “hateful” attacks in Paris and urges global unity against extremism.
“We denounce this hateful incident,” Ahmed al-Tayyeb says in comments broadcast by Egyptian state television. “The time has come for the world to unite to confront this monster.
“Such acts are contrary to all religious, humanitarian and civilised principles,” Tayyeb says at the opening of the conference in the southern city of Luxor focused on combating “extremist thought”.
— AFP
Report: Arrest in Germany last week linked to Paris attacks
The German media reports that a 51-year-old man arrested in the country last week after firearms were discovered in his car is being linked to the Paris attacks.
Public broadcaster Bayrischer Rundfunk says that German authorities informed French officials about the arrest of the man near the German-Austrian border on Nov. 5, but doesn’t provide a source for its information.
Bavarian state police spokesman Ludwig Waldinger confirms that firearms, explosives and hand grenades were found, but says “we are providing no further information at this point.”
— AP
Hollande blames Islamic State for Paris attacks
French President Francois Hollande blames Islamic State for Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris, saying the extremist group has carried out “an act of war.”
The multiple attacks across the city late Friday were “an act of war… committed by a terrorist army, the Islamic State, against France, against… what we are, a free country,” Hollande says.
The president also declares three days of mourning across France in the wake of the attacks that killed at least 128 people.
A woman leaves candles and flowers outside of the Carillon bar in the 10th district of Paris on November 14, 2015, after a series of attacks in and around the city left at least 128 people dead. (AFP PHOTO/KENZO TRIBOUILLARD)
— AFP
Fabius: Paris attacks make consensus on Syria more urgent
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says the attacks in Paris make it all the more necessary for the international community to find a common approach in Syria and terrorism.
Fabius’ remarks comes as foreign ministers from more than a dozen nations begin meeting in Vienna seeking to find a way to resolve the conflict in Syria.
Overshadowed by Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris, the diplomats start discussions aimed at charting a path for a cease-fire and a political transition in Syria to end the country’s devastating war.
The foreign ministers of Germany, Jordan and Saudi Arabia echoed Fabius’ sentiments.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius speaks on the phone as he arrives for a conference on Syria in Vienna, Austria, on November 14, 2015. (AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR)
— AP
France bans Paris protests until Thursday
France is banning demonstrations in Paris and the Paris region until Thursday, the police say.
— AFP
Putin to Hollande: Attacks are testimonial to barbaric terrorism
Russian President Vladimir Putin sends a telegram to French President Francois Hollande, calling the Paris attacks “the latest testimonial to the barbaric essence of terrorism which throws down a challenge to human civilization.”
“It’s obvious that an effective fight against this evil demands a real unity of the forces of the international community. I would like to confirm the readiness of Russia for the closest cooperation with our French partners in investigating the crime that took place in Paris.”
“In this difficult time for France, I ask you to pass along words of sincere sympathy and support to the relatives and those near to those who were killed and wishes for a fast recovery to all those who were hurt at the hands of extremists.”
— AP
read more: