French media reported that the man, who was believed to have previous convictions for kidnapping and firearms, as well as links with Islamist groups and a history of mental health problems, made two demands that related to Israel.
“We know that he has been radicalised and suffers a serious psychiatric illness,” the head of the police union SGP Unite told Reuters.
He demanded that Israel “free Palestinian children unjustly imprisoned” and that Israel permit free access to the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to Palestinians under the age of 40.
It is also understood that the hostage taker asked for access to a moped and social media.
Le Havre is a port city on the Normandy coast some 200km north of Paris. It’s mayor, Edouard Philippe, was French Prime Minister until July.
