A gunman was killed and two were injured in a shootout near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. Two policemen were 'slightly injured' in the gun fight, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said. Ciftci noted that the attackers had traveled from the city of Izmit by rental car and that two of them were brothers. In a statement on X, the interior ministry identified the gunman killed as Yunus E.S., who it claimed was 'connected to the terrorist organisation that exploits religion,' a term believed to reference the Islamic State group, though no organization has officially claimed responsibility for the attack.
Initial reports indicated that two attackers had died; however, local governor Davut Gul later confirmed that only one was killed in the exchange. The two injured attackers have been identified as Onur Ç and Enes Ç, also brothers. The two police officers injured in the shooting were not in life-threatening condition, with one shot in the leg and the other in the ear. The ministry's statement indicated that 'intensive digital communication has been detected among the three neutralised terrorists,' and the interrogation of the injured suspects is ongoing. Governor Gul indicated that the attackers utilized rifles and pistols during the assault.
Crucially, no Israeli diplomatic personnel were present at the consulate in Istanbul’s main business district during the attack. Eyewitnesses noted that the gunfire was loud and lasted for several minutes, marking a significant security incident in the area. Videos from the scene revealed a heavy police presence and numerous police vehicles cordoning off the area following the event.
Currently, there are no Israeli diplomats stationed in Turkey as the consulate has been vacant for the past two-and-a-half years amidst deteriorating relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv largely due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. An investigation into the attack has been initiated by Turkish authorities.
Initial reports indicated that two attackers had died; however, local governor Davut Gul later confirmed that only one was killed in the exchange. The two injured attackers have been identified as Onur Ç and Enes Ç, also brothers. The two police officers injured in the shooting were not in life-threatening condition, with one shot in the leg and the other in the ear. The ministry's statement indicated that 'intensive digital communication has been detected among the three neutralised terrorists,' and the interrogation of the injured suspects is ongoing. Governor Gul indicated that the attackers utilized rifles and pistols during the assault.
Crucially, no Israeli diplomatic personnel were present at the consulate in Istanbul’s main business district during the attack. Eyewitnesses noted that the gunfire was loud and lasted for several minutes, marking a significant security incident in the area. Videos from the scene revealed a heavy police presence and numerous police vehicles cordoning off the area following the event.
Currently, there are no Israeli diplomats stationed in Turkey as the consulate has been vacant for the past two-and-a-half years amidst deteriorating relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv largely due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. An investigation into the attack has been initiated by Turkish authorities.
