ICC Note: On Tuesday, July 26, two ISIS-affiliated militants attacked a Catholic church in Normandy, France, brutally murdering the 86-year-old priest. Shortly after, police were able to secure the situation and fatally shot the two attackers. Although it is not clear if the attack was religiously motivated or simply another terroristic act of violence, this attack is a devastating blow to the Christian community, particularly in France.

By James McAuley and Brian Murphy

07/26/2016 France (The Washington Post) – Two attackers backing the Islamic State stormed a village church during Mass in northern France on Tuesday, taking hostages and slitting the throat of a 86-year-old priest before police commandos shot and killed the assailants, authorities said.

The Islamic State’s Amaq news agency described the attackers as “soldiers” of the militant group, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant statements. But it was not immediately clear whether the assailants had direct contact with the Islamic State.

French President François Hollande — who traveled to the church near the city of Rouen in the Normandy region — said the attackers has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

The attack also will likely put further pressures on European security officials amid a series of attacks believed inspired by the Islamic State in France and neighboring Germany that have claimed nearly 100 lives this month.

Authorities in Europe had previously concentrated on suspected militants returned from Islamic State-held territory in Syria or Iraq. But many recent attacks appear to be carried out by individuals radicalized by Islamic State propaganda and who pledge loyalty on their own.

In Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, about 35 miles southeast of the port of Le Havre, French soldiers patrolled the narrow streets and mourners gathered near the church.

Another person held by the hostage-takers at the church suffered life-threatening injuries, said Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet.

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