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

One Gunman Killed, Two Injured in Attack on Israeli Consulate in Istanbul

A shooting near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul left one attacker dead and two others wounded, according to Turkish authorities. The incident, described by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a “heinous act of terror,” unfolded during a daylight confrontation between the assailants and police.

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

Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci reported that the attackers had traveled from Izmit in a rented vehicle and were related by blood. The gunman killed was identified as Yunus E.S., linked to a terrorist network that uses religious themes to justify its actions. While the group remains unnamed, analysts suggest a connection to the Islamic State.

Local governor Davut Gul clarified that only one attacker had been killed, contradicting earlier reports of two fatalities. The two injured individuals, Onur Ç and Enes Ç, are also brothers. Both police officers involved were treated for minor wounds—one sustained a leg injury, the other a gunshot to the ear.

Witnesses described the gunfire as “loud” and persistent, lasting “15-20 minutes” before the attackers were subdued. Social media videos reportedly show police vehicles and a heavy security presence surrounding the consulate, which is situated in Istanbul’s Besiktas district. The building was sealed off for several hours following the attack.

Currently, no Israeli diplomats are stationed in Turkey. The consulate has remained vacant for over two-and-a-half years due to escalating tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv, particularly over the Gaza conflict. The justice ministry has initiated an investigation into the incident.