Gunman Killed in Shootout Near Israeli Consulate in Istanbul
A gunman was killed and two injured in a shootout near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. Authorities suspect links to a religious extremist organization.
Gunfight Near Cordoned-Off Building in Besiktas District
A violent confrontation erupted in the heart of Istanbul’s business district on Tuesday as a gunman was killed and two others were wounded during an attempted attack near the Israeli consulate.
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci confirmed that the incident involved a shootout with security forces in the Besiktas area. While initial reports suggested two fatalities among the assailants, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul later clarified that one attacker was killed and two were injured and taken into custody.
Extremist Links and Police Injuries
The Interior Ministry identified the deceased gunman as Yunus E.S., stating he was "connected to the terrorist organisation that exploits religion," a descriptor frequently used by Turkish authorities to refer to the Islamic State (IS) group. No group has yet officially claimed responsibility for the assault.
The two injured suspects, identified as brothers Onur Ç and Enes Ç, reportedly traveled to Istanbul from the city of Izmit in a rental car.
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci confirmed that the incident involved a shootout with security forces in the Besiktas area.
Two police officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the gunfight:
- One officer was shot in the leg.
- The other suffered a wound to the ear.
Details of the Assault
Witnesses described a chaotic scene in broad daylight, with gunfire lasting between 15 and 20 minutes. Governor Gul noted that the attackers were armed with both rifles and pistols. Following the shootout, authorities detected "intensive digital communication" between the three suspects, and interrogations of the survivors are currently underway.
Social media footage appeared to show the moment police neutralized one of the armed men, while further videos showed a massive police presence and cordons around the consulate building.
Diplomatic Context
Significantly, the Israeli consulate was empty at the time of the attack. Due to the severe deterioration of diplomatic ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv following the conflict in Gaza, no Israeli diplomats have been stationed in Turkey for approximately two and a half years.
The Turkish Justice Minister has announced that a formal investigation into the motives and planning of the attack has been launched. Areas surrounding the consulate remained heavily guarded for several hours as forensic teams processed the scene.