One gunman killed and two injured in shooting at Israeli consulate in Istanbul

Shooting at Istanbul’s Israeli Consulate Leaves One Dead, Two Wounded

A violent confrontation near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul resulted in the death of one attacker and injuries to two others, according to Turkish officials. The incident, described by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a “heinous act of terror,” unfolded in broad daylight and involved a brief but intense exchange of gunfire. Local authorities confirmed that the attackers were linked to a group using religion to justify extremist activities, though no specific organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Attackers’ Background and Tactics

The assailants, who arrived in Istanbul from Izmit in a rented vehicle, were identified as brothers. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci revealed that the deceased attacker, named Yunus E.S., was associated with a terrorist network. The two injured attackers, Onur Ç and Enes Ç, were also brothers, the ministry added. Security footage shared online showed a single armed individual being shot and falling to the ground, with loud gunfire continuing for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

“We will not allow the climate of trust in Turkey to be damaged by such vile and timed provocations as today’s,” said Erdogan in a statement on X.

Policemen Injured in the Exchange

Two police officers were slightly harmed during the incident, with one shot in the leg and the other in the ear. The ministry stated that the attackers had employed rifles and pistols, and that the consulate—located in the bustling Besiktas district—had been temporarily sealed off for several hours following the attack. While unverified videos suggested a heavy police deployment, the exact sequence of events remains under investigation.

Consulate’s Empty State Amid Tensions

As of now, no Israeli diplomats are stationed in Turkey, and the consulate has been vacant for over two-and-a-half years. This period of absence follows the deterioration of diplomatic ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv, particularly over the Gaza conflict. The justice minister has announced the initiation of an inquiry to determine the circumstances and motives behind the shooting.