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 confrontation near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul resulted in one shooter being fatally wounded and two others sustaining injuries. Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci reported that the attackers had traveled from Izmit to the city in a rented vehicle, with two of them identified as brothers.
Casualties and Injuries
Initially, police claimed two attackers had died, but local governor Davut Gul later clarified that only one was killed. The two injured individuals, identified as Onur Ç and Enes Ç, were confirmed to be siblings by the interior ministry. The ministry’s statement noted that the police officers involved in the clash sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including one shot 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 stated in a press release.
Attack Details
The gunfight occurred during daylight hours, with video footage shared on social media capturing the moment one armed assailant was struck by police and collapsed. Witnesses described the gunfire as “loud” and persistent for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Unverified clips online displayed multiple police vans and a strong security presence surrounding the consulate, which remained closed for several hours after the incident.
Background of the Attackers
The ministry named the deceased shooter as Yunus E.S., stating he was “connected to the terrorist organisation that exploits religion.” This is believed to refer to the Islamic State group, though no specific group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Governor Gul confirmed the attackers had used rifles and pistols during the assault, emphasizing that no Israeli diplomatic staff were present at the time.
Consulate Status
The Israeli consulate in Istanbul’s Besiktas district has been unoccupied for over two-and-a-half years, following strained relations between Turkey and Israel over the Gaza conflict. With no diplomats stationed in the country currently, the attack took place in an empty building, raising questions about its target and motive.
Following the incident, an investigation was launched to determine the circumstances and possible perpetrators. The justice minister announced the probe, signaling a commitment to uncovering the details of the attack.
