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 lone gunman and two others were shot during a confrontation near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled the incident a “heinous act of terror.”
Officials’ Statements
Turkey’s Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci confirmed that two attackers sustained injuries during the exchange of fire. He added that the assailants had traveled from Izmit to Istanbul in a rented vehicle, 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 social media post.
The interior ministry revealed that the deceased attacker, Yunus E.S., was linked to a terrorist group that leverages religious extremism. While no specific organization claimed responsibility, the reference is believed to point toward the Islamic State group.
Attack Details
Local authorities initially reported two fatalities but later corrected the count to one. The two injured attackers, Onur Ç and Enes Ç, were also brothers. Police indicated neither of the officers involved faced life-threatening conditions, with one receiving a leg wound and the other an ear injury.
According to Governor Davut Gul, the attackers utilized rifles and pistols during the assault. He emphasized that no Israeli diplomats were present at the time, noting the consulate is situated in the bustling Besiktas district of Istanbul.
Witness Accounts and Evidence
A video shared online appears to show one armed individual being shot by police and collapsing. A bystander reported the gunfire was “loud” and intensified for “15-20 minutes.” Unverified footage displayed multiple police vehicles and a heavy security presence surrounding the consulate, which remained closed for several hours.
The consulate has been vacant for over two-and-a-half years, reflecting the strained diplomatic ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv, particularly due to tensions over the Gaza conflict. An investigation into the attack has been initiated by Turkey’s justice ministry.
Authorities are currently interrogating the injured attackers while analyzing digital communications between the three individuals involved in the incident.