Protests in France continue: a boy's hand was severed, police banned the use of stun grenades

The wave of protests in France, which began with a high school student protest, continues to escalate with severe clashes with the police. The hand of a 15-year-old boy was severed by the explosion of a stun grenade, leading the Interior Minister to order a suspension of the use of this measure. Over 500 schools were shut down, 24 were set on fire, and 488 people were arrested.

The wave of protests in France, which began with a high school student protest over study conditions, quickly expanded and swept up students, parents, and workers' organizations. The clashes with the police continue to be severe, with the use of tear gas and water cannons. According to data from the French Ministry of Education, over 500 schools were fully or partially shut down, 24 schools were set on fire or severely damaged and will remain closed for weeks, affecting about 30,000 students. 488 people were arrested during the recent protest days, and 43 security forces personnel were injured. A serious incident occurred when the hand of a 15-year-old boy was severed by the explosion of a stun grenade in the city of Lens on Monday. In response, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered a suspension of the use of stun grenades for dispersing protests pending clarification of the facts, in light of conflicting versions from protesters and authorities. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to deliver a special address to the nation in the evening to address the escalating crisis. At one of the protests in Paris, a woman pulled out an Israeli flag, and a protester snatched it from her while shouting "You are committing genocide."