One gunman killed and two injured in shooting at Israeli consulate in Istanbul
Shooting at Istanbul’s Israeli Consulate Leaves One Dead, Two Wounded
Attack and Immediate Response
A confrontation near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul resulted in one gunman being killed and two others injured, according to local authorities. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the incident as a “heinous act of terror” in a statement on X. The attackers, who arrived in a rental car from Izmit, were described by Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci as having included two brothers.
“We will not allow the climate of trust in Turkey to be damaged by such vile and timed provocations as today’s,” Erdogan said.
Details of the Attackers
The interior ministry identified the deceased attacker as Yunus E.S., linking him to a terrorist group that leverages religious extremism. While this is believed to reference the Islamic State, no organization has officially claimed responsibility for the attack. Early reports initially stated two attackers had died, but local governor Davut Gul later clarified that only one was killed.
The two injured assailants, named Onur Ç and Enes Ç, were also identified as brothers. The ministry’s statement added that both police officers involved in the exchange were not in life-threatening condition, with injuries limited to a leg and an ear.
Weapons and Diplomatic Presence
Authorities confirmed that the attackers used rifles and pistols during the assault. Governor Gul noted that no Israeli diplomatic personnel were present at the consulate during the attack, which occurred in broad daylight. Footage shared on social media captured the moment an armed suspect was shot by police and fell to the ground, with a witness describing the gunfire as “loud” and lasting “15-20 minutes.”
Aftermath and Security Measures
Unverified videos circulating online showed a heavy police presence and several vans surrounding the consulate, which was cordoned off for hours. The ministry reported that “intensive digital communication has been detected among the three neutralised terrorists,” and ongoing interrogations of the injured are underway. The consulate, located in Istanbul’s main business district in Besiktas, has been empty for the past two and a half years due to strained relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv over the Gaza conflict.
Investigation Launched
Following the incident, the justice minister announced the start of an investigation to determine the circumstances and motives behind the attack.
