French police have killed an armed man who was trying to set fire to a synagogue in the northern city of Rouen, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Friday.

“National police in Rouen neutralised early this morning an armed individual who clearly wanted to set fire to the city’s synagogue,” Mr Darmanin said.

A source close to the case told AFP the man was wielding a knife and an iron bar when he was shot by police.

Regional French broadcaster France three said fire fighters were on the site.

Rouen mayor said in a post the Normandy town was “battered and shocked”.

Against the backdrop of tensions in Middle East and Israel’s ground offensive in the Gaza strip, France recently raised its alert level to the highest level.

This is a developing story and will be updated