ISTANBUL — Three assailants opened fire on police outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, triggering a gunfight that left one attacker dead and two others wounded, Turkish officials said.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said the two surviving assailants were injured and neutralized by security forces, while two police officers sustained light wounds in the clash. The incident occurred in the Levent business district, where the consulate is located in a high-rise building.
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci stated that the three attackers had links to an organization that “exploits religion,” though he provided no further details on their identities or motives. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said an investigation had been launched into the incident.
Witnesses and Reuters video captured the sound of gunfire as armed police took cover. The assailants arrived at the scene in a car and were armed with guns and rifles, according to the governor. The exchange of fire lasted about 10 minutes before police gained control of the situation, officials said.
The area around the building was quickly sealed off by security forces. No diplomats from Israel were present at the mission at the time of the shooting. Israel withdrew its diplomatic staff from Turkey amid heightened security concerns and strained bilateral relations linked to the Gaza conflict.
Turkish officials described the event as an attack on police forces. Israel condemned the shooting, according to reports from the scene.
Details about the exact sequence of events and the full background of the assailants remained under investigation, authorities said. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
As of Tuesday evening, the two wounded assailants and the injured police officers were receiving medical treatment. Turkish authorities continued to gather evidence at the site and search for any possible accomplices.
The shooting comes at a time of regional tensions, though officials have not linked it directly to broader conflicts in the Middle East. Investigations were ongoing to determine if the assailants acted alone or as part of a larger network.
