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 violent confrontation occurred near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, resulting in the death of one attacker and injuries to two others. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled the incident a “heinous act of terror,” while the Interior Minister, Mustafa Ciftci, confirmed that two police officers were “slightly injured” during the exchange of gunfire.
The attackers arrived in Istanbul from Izmit via a rented vehicle, according to Ciftci, and were identified as brothers. A statement on X revealed the deceased gunman’s name as Yunus E.S., who was linked to a terrorist group using religion as a pretext. Although no organization has claimed responsibility, the reference is believed to point to the Islamic State group.
Initial reports indicated two attackers had died, but the 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 siblings. The ministry added that the police injuries were not life-threatening, with one officer wounded in the leg and another in the ear.
“Intensive digital communication has been detected among the three neutralised terrorists, and the interrogation of the injured terrorists continues,” the ministry’s statement said.
Governor Gul noted that the attackers used rifles and pistols during the assault. He emphasized that no Israeli diplomatic staff were present at the consulate, which is located in Istanbul’s Besiktas district. The incident unfolded in daylight, with social media footage capturing the moment one armed suspect was shot and collapsed.
A witness described the gunfire as “loud” and persistent for “15-20 minutes,” as seen in unverified videos circulating online. These clips showed multiple police vehicles and a strong security presence surrounding the consulate, which was sealed off for several hours. The building has remained unoccupied for over two-and-a-half years, reflecting strained ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv over the Gaza conflict.
The justice minister announced an investigation into the attack, which has raised questions about its motives and connections to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
