One gunman killed and two injured in shooting at Israeli consulate in Istanbul

One gunman killed and two injured in shooting at Israeli consulate in Istanbul

During a confrontation near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, one gunman died while two others sustained injuries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled the incident a “heinous act of terror,” emphasizing its significance. The Interior Minister, Mustafa Ciftci, reported that the attackers had arrived from Izmit in a rental car, with two of them identified as siblings.

“We will not allow the climate of trust in Turkey to be damaged by such vile and timed provocations as today’s,” Erdogan stated in a message on X.

Ciftci disclosed that the deceased assailant was named Yunus E.S., who was linked to a terrorist group utilizing religion as a tool. While no specific organization was officially claimed responsibility, the reference is widely interpreted as pointing to the Islamic State. Initially, police reported two attackers killed, but local governor Davut Gul later corrected this, noting only one had died.

The two injured attackers, identified as Onur Ç and Enes Ç, were also brothers. The ministry clarified that the police officers involved in the exchange were not critically hurt, with one receiving a leg wound and the other an ear injury. Authorities mentioned that digital communications were detected among the three neutralized terrorists, and interrogations of the wounded suspects are ongoing.

According to Governor Gul, the attackers used rifles and pistols during the attack. He added that no Israeli diplomatic personnel were present at the consulate, located in Istanbul’s Besiktas business district. The gunfire occurred during daylight hours, with social media footage showing an attacker being shot and falling to the ground. A witness described the sounds as “loud” and persistent for “15-20 minutes.”

Unconfirmed videos circulating online depicted a heavy police presence and several patrol vans surrounding the consulate, which remained sealed for several hours. The consulate has been vacant for over two-and-a-half years due to strained relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv, particularly over the Gaza conflict. A judicial investigation into the attack has been initiated.