A shootout erupted outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Wednesday, leaving one gunman dead and two police officers injured. The incident occurred in the Besiktas district, a major business hub, as authorities moved to neutralize the assailants.
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci reported that the attackers arrived from the city of Izmit in a rental vehicle. Police initially reported two fatalities among the gunmen, but local governor Davut Gul later clarified that only one attacker was killed during the exchange of fire.
Investigation into motives
The deceased gunman was identified as Yunus E.S. According to the Turkish Interior Ministry, he had ties to a "terrorist organisation that exploits religion," a phrasing officials frequently use to describe the Islamic State group. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault.
The two surviving attackers, identified by the ministry as brothers Onur Ç and Enes Ç, remain in custody. Officials confirmed that both suspects were injured during the confrontation and are currently undergoing interrogation.
Two police officers sustained injuries, though officials stated neither is in life-threatening condition. One officer was shot in the leg, while the other sustained a wound to the ear. Governor Gul noted that the assailants were armed with both rifles and pistols during the daylight assault.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the incident, labeling it a "heinous act of terror." He insisted that Turkish authorities would protect the nation's stability against such provocations.
"We will not allow the climate of trust in Turkey to be damaged by such vile and timed provocations as today's," Erdogan said in a statement posted to X.
The consulate building, which has been empty for two-and-a-half years due to strained diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel over the war in Gaza, was cordoned off for several hours following the shooting. There were no Israeli diplomatic personnel present at the site during the attack.
Video footage shared on social media captured the intensity of the confrontation, showing a heavy police presence and tactical teams surrounding the facility. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing persistent gunfire for roughly 15 to 20 minutes before the situation was brought under control.
The Turkish Justice Ministry has launched a formal investigation into the attack. Authorities stated they have detected "intensive digital communication" between the three suspects, which investigators are currently analyzing to determine the scope of the plot.
