A hacker has defaced the websites of a number of French municipalities with a message in support of the Wednesday attacks against the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo, a massacre which killed 12 including two police officers. The front pages of the hacked sites were seen to display the “black flag of Islam,” which has become a symbol of the militant Islamic group ISIS, as well as the message: “The Islamic State Stay Inchallah, Free Palestine, Death To France, Death To Charlie.” The defacements also openly attributed the hacks to one L’APoca-Dz, who according to The Daily Mirror is reported to have defaced a number of Israeli websites with anti-Semitic writing. Several French municipalities, including Ezanville, Jouy-le-Moutier, Goussainville, Val D'Oise, and Piscop, were affected by the hack. They are all located near Paris and have all subsequently restored their pages. The killing of Charlie Hebdo personnel on Wednesday has elicited an outpouring of sympathy around the world. Support rallies have been held in Paris and elsewhere, and the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie (“I am Charlie”) has been trending on Twitter since the attacks. Google has also recently announced that it will be donating approximately $300,000 to Charlie Hebdo, a contribution which, along with an equal donation to be made by French publishers, will help the magazine publish a million copies next week. Charlie Hubdo’s normal run is 60,000. The hacks against the municipality websites occurred at a time when France continues its manhunt for the suspects involved in the attacks. The latest reports suggest that the police have cornered the suspects in a printing factory located in Dammartin-en-Goele, 35km (22 miles) from Paris. It is believed that the suspects have taken a hostage. In response, there are reports that police are moving heavy military equipment, including helicopters and tanks, into the area of the siege.
