Two police officers were injured and a gunman killed in a shooting outside a building that houses the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. The consulate itself was empty at the time, when three attackers opened fire at police around lunchtime on Tuesday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the incident, calling it a “treacherous attack”, and said, “We will continue our fight against all kinds of terrorism, and we will not allow… provocations to harm Türkiye’s climate of security.”
Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said two of the three attackers were brothers and confirmed, “The identities of the terrorists have been identified,” adding that one had links to an organisation that “exploits religion.” Authorities later clarified that the gunman who was killed “had connections with a terrorist group.”
The attackers had travelled from Izmit to Istanbul in a rental car and later clashed with police near Yapı Kredi Plaza. Two officers suffered minor injuries during the clash.
Israel’s foreign ministry thanked Turkish authorities for stopping the attack, stating, “We appreciate the Turkish security forces’ swift action in thwarting this attack,” and emphasised, “Terror will not deter us.”
The consulate had already been unstaffed due to ongoing tensions between Israel and Turkey, particularly over the Gaza war. Relations between the two countries have been strained, with diplomatic ties largely frozen and heavy security maintained around the consulate.
Footage of the incident showed one attacker carrying what looked like an assault rifle, taking cover behind a bus while exchanging fire with police. Officers responded, and one was seen falling before moving to safety.
After the incident, police secured the area, closed nearby roads, and forensic teams searched for evidence. An investigation has been launched, led by three prosecutors.
US Ambassador Tom Barrack condemned the incident, saying, “Attacks on diplomatic missions are attacks on the international order – and an assault on the principles that bind nations together.”
Source: ABC News
