One gunman killed and two injured in shooting at Israeli consulate in Istanbul
One Gunman Killed, Two Injured in Shooting at Istanbul Consulate
An armed assailant was fatally shot during a confrontation near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, with two other individuals sustaining injuries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the incident as a “heinous act of terror.” The interior ministry confirmed that two attackers were wounded, clarifying that only one had died, while two police officers were lightly hurt in the exchange of fire.
“We will not allow the climate of trust in Turkey to be damaged by such vile and timed provocations as today’s,” stated Erdogan.
The attackers arrived in Istanbul from Izmit via a rented vehicle, according to Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci. He noted that two of the assailants were brothers. The ministry identified the deceased gunman as Yunus E.S., linking him to a terrorist group that uses religion as a tool. While the Islamic State group is believed to be the target, no specific organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Local governor Davut Gul confirmed that the attackers employed rifles and pistols during the assault. He emphasized that no Israeli diplomatic staff were present at the consulate, which is situated in the Besiktas district of Istanbul’s central business area. The shooting occurred during daylight hours, with footage on social media capturing the moment one attacker was struck by gunfire and collapsed.
“The gunfire sounds were loud and intensified for 15-20 minutes,” recounted a witness to Reuters news agency.
Unverified video clips circulating online showed police vans and a strong security presence surrounding the consulate. The site was sealed off for several hours following the attack. The Israeli consulate has remained unoccupied for over two-and-a-half years due to strained relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv, particularly over the Gaza conflict. An investigation into the incident has been initiated by the justice ministry.
