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

A confrontation near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul resulted in one assailant being fatally shot, while two others sustained injuries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the incident as a “heinous act of terror,” highlighting its impact on public trust. Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci confirmed that the attackers had traveled to the city from Izmit in a rented vehicle and were 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 on X.

The ministry initially reported two attackers killed, but local governor Davut Gul later clarified that only one had been neutralized. The two injured individuals, named Onur Ç and Enes Ç, were also brothers. Police injuries were described as non-life-threatening, with one officer shot in the leg and another in the ear.

Authorities noted that digital communications were intercepted between the three terrorists involved, and ongoing interrogations of the injured attackers are taking place. The attackers used rifles and pistols during the assault, which occurred in daylight. A social media video reportedly shows one armed individual being struck by police gunfire and collapsing to the ground.

“Firearm sounds were loud and intensified for 15-20 minutes,” a witness told Reuters news agency.

The consulate, situated in Istanbul’s Besiktas district, was reportedly empty for the past two-and-a-half years due to tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv over the Gaza conflict. No Israeli diplomatic staff were present during the attack. Police maintained a heavy presence around the building for several hours following the incident. An investigation into the attack has been initiated by the justice ministry.