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

During a confrontation near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, one assailant was fatally shot, while two others sustained injuries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled the incident a “heinous act of terror,” emphasizing its impact on public trust in the nation. The interior minister, Mustafa Ciftci, confirmed that the attackers traveled to the city from Izmit in a rented vehicle and that two of them were siblings.

“We will not allow the climate of trust in Turkey to be damaged by such vile and timed provocations as today’s,” Erdogan stated in a social media post.

According to the interior ministry’s statement on X, the deceased gunman was identified as Yunus E.S., linked to a terrorist group that leverages religious extremism. Though no specific organization has claimed responsibility, this connection is believed to point toward the Islamic State. Initial reports suggested two attackers had died, but local governor Davut Gul later clarified that only one was killed, with the other two injured.

The two injured attackers, Onur Ç and Enes Ç, were also identified as brothers. The ministry noted that neither of the wounded police officers was in critical condition, with injuries reported to the leg and ear. “Intensive digital communication has been detected among the three neutralised terrorists, and the interrogation of the injured terrorists continues,” the statement added.

Authorities confirmed the attackers used rifles and pistols during the assault. The incident occurred in daylight, with footage shared online capturing the moment one armed individual was shot by police and collapsed. A witness described the gunfire as “loud” and persistent for “15-20 minutes,” according to Reuters. Unverified videos showed police vans and a strong presence around the consulate, which was sealed off for several hours.

The Israeli consulate, situated in Istanbul’s Besiktas district, has been vacant for over two-and-a-half years. Currently, no Israeli diplomatic staff are based in Turkey, amid strained relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv over the Gaza conflict. An investigation into the attack has already been initiated.