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, an armed assailant was fatally shot, leaving two others wounded. Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci confirmed the incident, stating that two police officers were “slightly injured” in the exchange of fire. The attackers, who arrived in Istanbul from Izmit via a rented vehicle, were identified as brothers, according to the ministry’s statement.
Details of the Attack
“Intensive digital communication has been detected among the three neutralised terrorists, and the interrogation of the injured terrorists continues,”
the interior ministry reported. The initial reports suggested two attackers had died, but local governor Davut Gul later clarified that only one had been killed. The two injured assailants, named Onur Ç and Enes Ç, were also brothers. The police officers, both in non-critical condition, sustained injuries to the leg and ear, the ministry added.
Footage shared on social platforms reportedly shows an armed assailant being struck by gunfire and collapsing to the pavement. Witnesses described the gunfire as “loud” and persistent, lasting for 15 to 20 minutes. Unverified videos circulating online depicted multiple police vans and a heavy security presence surrounding the consulate, which was sealed off for several hours following the attack.
Background Context
“No Israeli diplomatic personnel were in the consulate during the assault,”
governor Gul noted, highlighting that the building is located in Istanbul’s main business district in the Besiktas area. The consulate has been vacant for over two-and-a-half years, with no Israeli diplomats stationed in Turkey currently. This follows strained relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv over the Gaza conflict. An investigation into the attack has now been initiated by the justice ministry.
