Gunmen attack building housing Israeli Consulate in Istanbul

Three gunmen attacked the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, engaging in a fierce gunfight with police that left one attacker dead and two others wounded and captured, according to Turkish officials.

The assault occurred at a high-rise building in the Levent district, one of Istanbul’s primary business centers. Two police officers sustained minor injuries during the exchange of fire, with one wounded in the leg and the other in the ear, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul confirmed to reporters.

Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Cifti revealed that the attackers had traveled approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the city of Izmit in a rented car. He noted that one of the assailants had connections to a group “exploiting religion,” though he did not identify the specific organization. Turkey has previously experienced deadly attacks carried out by the Islamic State group.

The two wounded attackers were identified as brothers, Onur C. and Enes C., with the former having a previous criminal record related to drug offenses. Both are currently undergoing interrogation, according to ministry officials.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the attack unfolded. Security camera footage showed one of the assailants, armed with what appeared to be an assault rifle and wearing a brown backpack, taking cover behind a bus while exchanging fire with police. The video captured a police officer falling to the ground after being shot before rolling behind a tree for protection.

“In general, this is a noisy area, so initially we thought this might be something else. But the gunshots continued,” said witness Omer Dilki, 34. “We saw the police officers standing behind the cars, take shelter, and call out to each other.”

Another witness, Ali Rıza Arpacı, who works in the vicinity, described witnessing “serious clashes” occurring directly in front of him. “We were almost inside the clashes,” he said, adding that the gunfight lasted approximately 10 minutes.

Following the attack, police sealed off the building and blocked several roads while forensic experts in white protective suits meticulously examined the area for evidence. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that three prosecutors, including a deputy chief prosecutor, have been assigned to lead the investigation.

Notably, no Israeli diplomats were present during the attack. Israel had previously withdrawn its diplomatic personnel from missions in Turkey due to security concerns and deteriorating bilateral relations amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned what he described as a “treacherous” attack. “We will resolutely continue our fight against all forms of terrorism, and we will not allow the climate of security in Turkey to be harmed by vile and timed provocations like today’s,” he stated.

The incident drew swift international response. U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack condemned the assault and praised Turkish authorities for “their swift and decisive response.” Israel’s Foreign Ministry similarly denounced the attack while commending Turkish security forces for their rapid action in thwarting it.

The attack comes amid heightened regional tensions following more than a year of conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Turkey, under President Erdogan’s leadership, has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and has historically maintained complex relations with Israel that have fluctuated significantly over the past decade.

Turkish authorities initially misreported that two attackers had been killed, but later clarified that only one assailant died while the other two were wounded and captured.