According to French media, the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. local time near the bank’s headquarters in the 8th arrondissement, a few blocks from the Champs-Élysées.

Police apprehended the suspect shortly after he placed an improvised explosive device containing approximately five liters of a liquid believed to be explosive fuel along with a triggering mechanism.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez suggested that tensions in the Middle East may have been a motivating factor.

European countries have stayed on high alert amid concerns about potential attacks targeting Jewish sites and assets linked to the United States and Israel.